TRANSPORT

Network Rail

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how much private finance will be brought in under the proposal for company limited by guarantee made by Network Rail; and in what areas this money is budgeted to be spent;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the proposed funding arrangement for the successor to Railtrack, as given by the proposal for a company limited by guarantee made by Network Rail; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Darling: Negotiations are continuing on a commercially confidential basis with Network Rail.

Railtrack

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much money has been (a) lent, (b) granted and (c) guaranteed to Railtrack by the Government and SRA since Railtrack was placed in administration.

John Spellar: I have been asked to reply.
	(a) I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given to the Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling) on 15 April 2002, Official Report, column 742W.
	(b) Railtrack plc received a grant of £162 million on 16 November 2001 and £493 million on 1 April 2002 as part of Appendix D of the Rail Regulator's October 2000 Periodic Review and the 1 April 2001 agreement between the Government and Railtrack.
	(c) As announced on 25 March 2002, the Administrators of Railtrack plc have secured up to £4.4 billion of commercial banking facilities, backed by a Government guarantee. This has enabled them to repay the short-term commercial loan that Government provided on 7 October 2001.

Railtrack

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was spent on maintenance by Railtrack in each of the last five years; and if he will publish the expected expenditure on maintenance for the (a) current and (b) next year.

Alistair Darling: The information requested is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Financial year Maintenance expenditure in £ million cash 
		
		
			 1996–97 732 
			 1997–98 702 
			 1998–99 694 
			 1999–2000 663 
			 2000–01 715 
			 2001–02 (1)943 
			 2002–03 (2)1,112 
		
	
	(1) projected
	(2) budget

Railtrack

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the results of the enhanced basic questionnaire for prospective Railtrack contractors will be made available to the public.

David Jamieson: .

Railtrack

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what maintenance delivery and other improvements are being followed up by Railtrack in line with the Cullen report.

David Jamieson: .

Railtrack

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  if his Department is represented on the Railtrack Safety Executive;
	(2)  if he will place a copy of the programme of safety tours that the Chief Executive Officer of Railtrack undertakes;
	(3)  what meetings his Department has had with Railtrack officials since the Southall rail accident.

David Jamieson: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 10 June 2002, Official Report, column 784W.

Railtrack

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  if he will list the steps to be completed by Railtrack to comply with the recommendations of the Cullen report into the Ladbroke Grove rail inquiry, indicating the timescales for these activities and the costs involved;
	(2)  if he will publish the results of the development of a corporate training and development strategy by Railtrack, as outlined in the Cullen report.

David Jamieson: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 10 June 2002, Official Report, column 786W.

Railtrack

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the deferred timescales for Railtrack for the revised selection process for prospective contractors.

David Jamieson: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 10 June 2002, Official Report, column 788W.

Railtrack

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the 10 strategic maintenance principles developed by Railtrack that involve Railtrack directly managing inspection, appraisal and key work decisions.

David Jamieson: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 10 June 2002, Official Report, columns 786–87W.

Railtrack

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who has responsibility to ensure that (a) Railtrack and (b) its successor company carry out all necessary maintenance work on the rail network.

Alistair Darling: It is for a network operator to comply with the terms and conditions of its network licence. Enforcement of licence conditions is a matter for the Rail Regulator. Additionally the Health and Safety Executive is responsible for enforcement of safety matters on the railway.

Railways

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 10 June 2002, Official Report, column 778W, on railways, how much of the money provided by the SRA (a) will be spent in Scotland and (b) has been spent so far.

David Jamieson: This is a national initiative. Funding is not being allocated geographically. No money has yet been spent.

Railways

Alan Hurst: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the condition of the railway track on the line between Liverpool Street and Colchester.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	Track condition is an operational matter for Railtrack. Railtrack and their contractor, Balfour Beatty have inspected this line and have assured my Department that this line is safe. The Health and Safety Executive have also said that the line is safe.

Railways

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the proposals for establishment of a railway industry safety body; and if he will place the consultation papers in the Library.

David Jamieson: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 10 June 2002, Official Report, column 784W.

Railways

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the development group meetings of key stakeholders of the rail industry safety body will be available to the public.

David Jamieson: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 10 June 2002, Official Report, columns 784–85W.

Railways

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the initiatives and management systems that the rail industry use to ensure employee involvement in safety issues.

David Jamieson: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 10 June 2002, Official Report, column 785W.

Railways

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the terms of reference, term of office and the job description for the successful candidate applying for the position of director in Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate.

David Jamieson: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 10 June 2002, Official Report, column 789W.

Railways

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the reasons for non-completion of recommendations 4, 6, 9 and 72 of the Cullen report into the Ladbroke Grove rail inquiry; and what the timetable is for their completion;
	(2)  what the terms of reference are for the local management teams that monitor the implementation of contracts for the rail industry.

David Jamieson: .

Railways

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the shortcomings in the scope of contract documentation reported in the Cullen report on the Ladbroke Grove Rail Inquiry.

David Jamieson: .

Railways

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the primary legislation required to set up the Railway Advisory Investigation Branch will be published.

David Jamieson: .

Railways

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on details regarding the timescale, terms of reference and costing of the consultation exercise on the establishment of an independent rail accident investigation body.

David Jamieson: .

Railways

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the terms of reference are for the two additional members of the Railway Industry Advisory Committee; and from which areas nominations will be accepted.

David Jamieson: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 10 June 2002, Official Report, columns 789–90W.

Railways

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what budgetary provision has been made for compensating train operating companies for increases in track access charges determined by the Rail Regulator in the current and future control periods.

John Spellar: Payments made to train operating companies by the Strategic Rail Authority under franchise agreements are automatically adjusted by the amount of any change in fixed track access charges determined by the Rail Regulator. For the current control period the amount of 10-year plan funding committed to the rail industry was set, and subsequently adjusted, to reflect the (October 2000) final conclusions of the Rail Regulator's periodic review of access charges. For future control periods, track access charges will be determined by future periodic reviews.

Railways

Eric Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the SRA about improving the skills level on the railways; and will he make a statement.

David Jamieson: The SRA, in conjunction with DfES, is taking forward work identified in the Framework for Skills in the Rail industry, published in March last year. The first progress report was published in December. The SRA is also leading on proposals for a National Rail Academy, to take a strategic overview of skills in the rail industry. It will be working closely with other key stakeholders and aims to consult widely on the proposals in the autumn.

Computers

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures are (a) in place and (b) under discussion in his Department in order to ensure compliance with the WEE Directive.

John Spellar: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Trade and Industry on 12 June 2002.

Aviation Industry

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he makes of the environmental cost resulting from aviation industry use of UK airports.

Alistair Darling: The then DETR reported on available estimates of environmental costs in "Valuing the External Costs of Aviation", which was published in December 2000. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Aviation Industry

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimates he has made of the increase in carbon dioxide emissions from aviation over the next 20 years.

Alistair Darling: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change provides forecasts of carbon dioxide emissions from aircraft over the next 20 years and beyond for a range of scenarios. They can be found in figure 1 on page 6 of their report "Aviation and the Global Atmosphere" (1999). These estimates are generally accepted to be the best currently available.

Aviation Industry

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the change in fuel efficiency of aircraft, using UK airports, over the last 30 years.

Alistair Darling: Specific information on fuel efficiency of aircraft using UK airports is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Aviation industry representatives estimate that global fuel consumption per passenger kilometre has been reduced by about 60 per cent. since 1970, largely through improvements in engine and airframe technology. Reasons for these improvements include more stringent standards as well as commercial initiatives.

NATS

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the assumptions used to set the five-year price cap regime for NATS in 2001.

Alistair Darling: National Air Traffic Services (NATS) is subject to price regulation by the RPI-X method, which is the standard model for monopoly regulation in the United Kingdom. The charge cap, or "X" factor, for the first five years of the public private partnership (PPP) was set by the Government, in the light of advice received from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
	The CAA's advice on the charge cap was based on a well-considered and comprehensive analysis of NATS' operational and investment plans and the potential for efficiency savings. The advice fully reflected the Government's, and the CAA's, commitment to giving the highest priority to safety.
	The CAA recommended that the "X" factor for NATS' UK monopoly services be set at 5 per cent. per year for each of the first five years. The Government considered this advice carefully, alongside representations from NATS and the projections of bidders for the NATS PPP, and decided to set charge capping at 2.2 per cent. for 2001, 3.0 per cent. for 2002, 4.0 per cent. for 2003, and 5.0 per cent. for each of 2004 and 2005.
	Furthermore, since delays are a major concern to airlines, the Government decided that the charge cap should include a delay term, so that the "X" factor would automatically tighten, thereby reducing NATS' revenues, if delays increased.
	In reaching these decisions, the Government was concerned to achieve a smooth transition to the PPP and to enable NATS' management to focus on getting the change and investment programmes right during the early years of the PPP.

Air Traffic

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the increase in air traffic, over the last 30 years, using UK airports.

Alistair Darling: The number of passengers using UK airports has increased from 35 mppa in 1971 to 180 mppa in 2001. This corresponds to an average annual increase of 5.9 per cent. in passengers using UK airports over this 30 year period.

Buses

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  when formal type approval arrangements will be introduced for minibuses;
	(2)  what arrangements are planned for mandatory checks of seat belt installations on non-PSV minibuses to ensure they meet legally required standards.

John Spellar: My Department is considering the implementation of a national type approval procedure for all buses, including minibuses, by the end of 2003, as part of a current review of bus and coach construction and use requirements. Checks of seat belt installation would be part of that procedure.

Buses

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he will take to ensure that an (a) anti-lock braking system and (b) tachograph will be a mandatory safety feature for new buses.

John Spellar: All new buses are already required to be fitted with an anti-lock braking system.
	The fitting and use of tachographs is subject to a European Union (EU) Regulation from which there is an exemption for buses on routes of less than 50 kilometres. A European Commission proposal to alter the scope of this Regulation and the EU drivers' hours rules themselves is currently being considered by member states.

Abandoned Cars

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures his Department intends to introduce to (a) strengthen vehicle licensing controls and (b) improve the traceability of the owners of abandoned cars.

John Spellar: The Government is actively pursuing measures to improve the accuracy of the vehicle record, which would enable the authorities to trace more easily the keepers of abandoned cars, as well as those involved in crime.
	The Finance Bill currently before Parliament includes enabling powers for changes to vehicle taxation, making possible a system of continuous registration which will ensure that the registered keeper of a vehicle cannot avoid responsibility for licensing it. There will be consultation with the motor trade and motorists' groups before any changes are implemented. The legislation will not affect the current system of Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN) under which keepers who tell DVLA that they are taking their vehicles off the road are not obliged to tax them.
	The Government has also recently announced that it has set up a Modernising Vehicle Registration Implementation Board which will take forward work on the recommendations of a review of the vehicle registration system that the Department undertook in partnership with the insurance industry.

East Midlands Airport

Anthony D Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he intends to designate East Midlands airport under section 80 for the purposes of section 78 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982, in order to impose restrictions on night flying there.

David Jamieson: The Secretary of State was asked by North West Leicestershire district council (and by others) to designate this airport in order to impose night restrictions using the powers by which operational noise is currently regulated at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports.
	I have written to the council to inform them that the Secretary of State has decided, after careful consideration, not to designate the airport. Following local discussions, the airport management has produced its own proposals, to which it is committed, for the control of noise including night noise. The Secretary of State is satisfied that these controls are sufficient in all the circumstances of the case, including the broad long-standing policy that noise controls should be settled locally where possible, such that designation is not appropriate for the present.
	I encourage East Midlands airport, as well as other airports, to continue discussions in consultation with local stakeholders, and to keep their noise control regulations under review with the aim of minimizing noise nuisance from the airport's legitimate operations.

Committee Mandates

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the mandate of the Committee on Experts on the Transit of Natural Gas through Grids is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: I have been asked to reply.
	The mandate of the Committee is to conciliate in disputes between network operators over conditions for the use of gas transit pipelines, as set out in Article 3 of Council Directive 91/296/EEC of 31 May 1991 on the transit of natural gas through grids.
	The Committee has not met in the past 12 months. The UK representation is provided by Lattice Group plc. There is no UK public funding of this Committee. There are no items currently under consideration by the Committee.
	The Commission's current proposals for liberalising the European energy market would repeal Directive 91/296/EEC and so remove the legal base for this Committee.

Royal Geographical Society Speech

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of the speech made by the Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and the Regions to the Royal Geographical Society on 5 June 1997; and if he will make a statement.

John Prescott: I have been asked to reply.
	I have today placed copies of the speech in the Libraries of the House.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Departmental Website

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the cost of the redesign and re-launch of her Department's website.

Patricia Hewitt: The redesign of the site was part of the ongoing process of making it easier for users to find the information they require. The contract for the redesign was let by tender, and six companies were invited to tender, in accordance with normal departmental rules. The winning company were judged to offer the best value for money for the job. As I informed the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) on 10 April 2002, Official Report, column 393W, the cost was £60,294 including VAT.
	We are currently undertaking customer research to ascertain the success of the redesign. We will be talking to the three main audience groups, businesses, consumers and employees, to ensure that the site continues to meet their needs.

Anti-competitive Practices

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will ask the Director General of Fair Trading to investigate possible anti-competitive practices by mobile telephone network providers who prevent non-contracted pay-as-you-go consumers from switching networks on their handsets until they have spent a minimum amount on calls.

Melanie Johnson: This is a matter for the Director General for Telecommunications. I understand that he intends to investigate this practice in the near future.

Departmental Regional Organisation

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what regional organisation her Department has; and if she will list the counties and unitary authorities in each region in (a) 1997 and (b) 2002.

Patricia Hewitt: The Department of Trade and Industry works at regional level through the Government Offices for the Regions. There are nine Government offices in England: south-east, south-west, London, east of England, east midlands, west midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, north-west and north-east. The Government offices are funded by nine sponsor Departments, including my Department. The Regional Co-ordination Unit based in the office of my right hon. Friend, the Deputy Prime Minister has overall responsibility for the Government office network.
	The county and unitary authorities in each of the nine English regions are set out in a table which my right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and the Regions has placed in the Libraries of the House.

Departmental Regional Organisation

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which of the agencies and NDPBs sponsored by her Department have a regional organisation; and if she will list the counties and unitary authorities in each region in (a) 1997 and (b) 2002.

Patricia Hewitt: Following is the information in respect of the Department's NDPBs.
	Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service
	Region/Area covered
	Scotland
	All counties and authorities in Scotland.
	Northern
	All counties and unitary authorities covered by the Government offices for the north-east and Yorkshire and the Humber.
	North-west
	All counties and unitary authorities covered by the Government office for the north-west.
	Midlands
	All counties and unitary authorities covered by the Government offices for the east and west midlands.
	Wales and the west
	All counties and authorities in Wales plus counties and unitary authorities covered by the Government office for the south-west.
	London, eastern and southern areas
	All counties and unitary authorities covered by the Government offices for the east of England, London and the south-east.
	The regional structure of ACAS at 1 April 1997 was the same as this with the following exceptions.
	The county of Cumbria was covered by ACAS's northern region rather than north-west region.
	Wales and the south-west were two separate regions.
	The south-west region also covered Hampshire (except north-east Hampshire), Oxfordshire, Berkshire and the Isle of Wight.
	Gas and Electricity Consumer Council (Energywatch)
	Region/Area covered
	North-east (Newcastle)
	Counties: Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Durham, north, west and south Yorkshire, East riding, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire.
	Central (Birmingham)
	Counties: Herefordshire, Worcestershire, West Midlands, Warwickshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire.
	South-east (London)
	Counties: London, Essex, Kent, Surrey.
	Southern (Bournemouth)
	Counties: East Sussex, West Sussex, Berkshire, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Bristol, Dorset, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall.
	North-west (Manchester)
	Counties: Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire
	and the unitary authorities therein.
	The GECC was established in 2000.
	Consumer Council for Postal Services (Postwatch)
	Postwatch was established in January 2001. There are six regional committees covering England. The exact boundaries of the regions are determined by discrete postcode areas, resulting in some counties being covered by more than one region.
	The Postwatch Northern England region covers the counties of Cumbria, Northumberland, Durham, Lancashire, North Yorkshire, Cheshire and parts of Lincolnshire and Derbyshire and the unitary authorities of Darlington, Stockton-on-Tees, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, Blackpool, Blackburn, Halton, Warrington, York, East Riding of Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire, city of Kingston upon Hull, North-east Lincolnshire.
	The Postwatch Midlands region covers the counties of Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Leicestershire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, and Northamptonshire and the unitary authorities of Herefordshire, Stoke, the Wrekin, South Gloucestershire, city of Derby, city of Nottingham and the city of Leicester.
	The Postwatch East of England region covers the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and parts of Lincolnshire and Hertfordshire and the unitary authorities of city of Peterborough, Luton and Milton Keynes.
	The Postwatch South and West region covers the counties of Cornwall, Devon, Wiltshire, Dorset, Somerset and parts of Berkshire and West Sussex and the unitary authorities of city of Bristol, Swindon, Reading, Wokingham, Bracknell Forest, West Berkshire, North Somerset, Bath and North-east Somerset, Bournemouth, Poole, Isle of Wight, Southampton, Portsmouth, Torbay and city of Plymouth.
	The Postwatch South-east England region covers the counties of Kent, East Sussex, Surrey, and parts of West Sussex, Hampshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Essex and Hertfordshire and the unitary authorities of Windsor and Maidenhead, Slough, Brighton and Hove, Medway, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock.
	The Postwatch Greater London region covers the county of Middlesex and parts of Kent, Essex and Surrey and the 32 London boroughs and the Corporation of London.
	In addition there are Postwatch offices for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
	The DTI sponsors the eight Regional Development Agencies in England. They cover the following areas:
	East Midlands
	The counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire.
	The non-metropolitan districts of Derby, Leicester, Nottingham and Rutland.
	Eastern
	The counties of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.
	The non-metropolitan districts of Luton, Peterborough, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock.
	London
	Greater London.
	North-east
	The counties of Durham and Northumberland.
	The metropolitan districts of Gateshead, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland.
	The non-metropolitan districts of Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees.
	North-west
	The counties of Cheshire, Cumbria and Lancashire.
	The metropolitan districts of Bolton, Bury, Knowsley, Liverpool, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, St. Helens, Salford, Sefton, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan and Wirral.
	The non-metropolitan districts of Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Halton and Warrington.
	South-east
	The counties of Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey and West Sussex.
	The non-metropolitan districts of Bracknell Forest, Brighton and Hove, the Medway towns, Milton Keynes, Portsmouth, Reading, Slough, Southampton, West Berkshire, Windsor and Maidenhead and Wokingham.
	South-west
	The counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire.
	The non-metropolitan districts of Bath and north-east Somerset, Bournemouth, Bristol, North Somerset, Plymouth, Poole, South Gloucestershire, Swindon and Torbay.
	The Isles of Scilly.
	West Midlands
	The counties of Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.
	The metropolitan districts of Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton.
	The non-metropolitan districts of Herefordshire, Stoke-on-Trent and Telford and Wrekin.
	Yorkshire and the Humber
	The county of North Yorkshire.
	The metropolitan districts of Barnsley, Bradford, Calderdale, Doncaster, Kirklees, Leeds, Rotherham, Sheffield and Wakefield.
	The non-metropolitan districts of the East Riding of Yorkshire, Kingston upon Hull, North-east Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire and York.
	The National Consumer Council has no regional organisation, however it has two subsidiary organisations, the Welsh Consumer Council and the Scottish Consumer Council covering Wales and Scotland respectively.
	I have asked the chief executives of the Department's agencies that have a regional organisation to respond to the hon. Member direct, copies of which have been placed in the Library.

Refurbishment

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the refurbishment projects that (a) are in progress and (b) will start within the next six months; and what action is being taken to ensure that these will procure certified timber.

Patricia Hewitt: (a) The information is as follows:
	Elizabeth House, York Road, London—refurbishment works to the first and second floors
	Sunley Towers, Piccadilly, Manchester—refurbishment works to the nineteenth floor
	Athol House, Aberdeen—lift refurbishment
	Ongoing programme of replacement of old office furniture with more space-efficient furniture.
	(b) The information is as follows:
	1 Victoria Street and 10 Victoria Street, London—internal redecorations
	Kingsgate House, Victoria Street, London—external redecoration
	Kingsgate House, Victoria Street, London—air conditioning enhancements
	Kingsgate House, Victoria Street, London—reception refurbishment.
	Only projects costing £100,000 or more have been included.
	The following steps are taken in order to ensure that certified timber is procured.
	All HQ furniture is procured through the Office for Government Commerce's (OGC) central Government buying framework arrangements. It is a condition of all furniture suppliers to the Department to have FSC certificates.
	Contractors engaged in building works are required by our pre-qualification procedures to act in accordance with ISO 14001, which includes a commitment to use legal and sustainable sources of timber.

Business Links

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many start-up firms have received help from Business Links in each of the past three years.

Nigel Griffiths: Until 2002–03 SBS has not required Business Links to provide information on assistance to businesses by age of the business.
	However, the SBS has required Business Links to provide management information on the number of clients assisted as part of the High Growth Potential start-up programme and more generally the number of pre-starts (people thinking about/trying to start a business) helped.
	
		High Growth Potential (HGP) start-ups and pre-start businesses assisted—England
		
			  1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 
		
		
			 HGP start-ups 465 2,769 5,219 
			 non HGP pre-starts (3)— (3)— 83,515 
		
	
	(3) Not available
	Source:
	Business Link management information returns

Committee Mandates

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the mandate of the Advisory Committee for Co-ordination in the Internal Market Field is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: The mandate for this committee is set out in Articles 1 and 2 of Council Decision of 23 December 1992 as follows:
	There shall be attached to the Commission an Advisory Committee for Co-ordination in the Internal Market Field, hereinafter referred to as 'the committee'. The committee shall comprise two representatives of each member state and be chaired by a representative of the Commission.
	The committee may be consulted by the Commission on any practical problem which may arise after 1 January 1993 concerning the functioning of the internal market other than those which are covered by action taken in accordance with arrangements to notify to the Commission, laid down in any other applicable Community measure or established within an existing framework for practical co-operation between the Commission and the member states.
	The committee is divided into a number of formations, but has met in total 10 times within the last 12 months, and the UK is represented by a DTI official except in the case of the 'Better Regulation' formation where a Cabinet Office (Regulatory Impact Unit) official also attends. It is not possible to calculate the cost to public funds of the work of the committee without incurring disproportionate cost. The travel expenses for meetings of the committee are reimbursed by the Commission.
	The main issues/topics considered at the last meetings of the various formations were:
	Heads of Delegations
	Internal market and enlargement; 'SOLVIT' problem solving system; review of the Commission's internal market strategy;
	IMAC (general)
	Effective problem solving in the internal market ('SOLVIT' database); European Business Test panel; marking the 10th anniversary of the internal market; company taxation and the internal market; Citizens Signpost Service; the May 2002 Internal Market Scoreboard; candidate countries and administrative co-operation; Heads of Co-ordination Centres
	Effective problem solving in the internal market ('SOLVIT' database);
	SLIM (Better Regulation)
	Modernising the European Business Test panel; The Commission's Better Regulation package; national simplification initiatives post-Mandelkern report; better regulation in other Community institutions; outcome of the 5 phase of SLIM.
	In practice many of the items considered by the committee are also considered by Council working groups and the internal market Consumers and Tourism Council of Ministers. Proposals for Council legislation and other EU published documents are subject to UK parliamentary scrutiny.

Committee Mandates

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the mandate of the European Advisory Committee on Research is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: 1. The European Research Advisory Board (EURAB) is a high level, independent, advisory committee created by the European Commission to provide advice on the design and implementation of EU policy in research and technological development.
	2. In the last year, EURAB met on four occasions: 26 September 2001 (its inaugural meeting), 13 December 2001, 20 March 2002 and 28 May 2002.
	3. There are three UK-based members of EURAB. Members of EURAB act in a personal capacity, member states do not have formal membership.
	4. It is not possible to calculate the cost to public funds of the work of the committee without incurring disproportionate cost. The travel and subsistence expenses for meetings of EURAB, or any working party set up within the committee will be met by the European Commission in accordance with the current administrative rules and regulations.
	5. EURAB's work is currently focused on: The Role of Universities in the European Research Area, Enlargement and the European Research Area, Evaluation, European Research Area: Scope and Vision, Improving Innovation, and Increasing the attractiveness of science, technology and engineering careers.
	6. EURAB's role is to deliver advice and opinions on specific issues either at the request of the Commission or on its own initiative. In carrying this out, EURAB operates independently from the Commission, from member states and from existing science or industry organisations. It may nevertheless co-operate with organisations and institutions interested in European research, to create working groups on specific themes and to consult with other experts who could enrich its reflection. While the deliberations of the Board are confidential, its activities will be reported annually to the Commissioner responsible for Research. All advice or opinions adopted by the Board are also forwarded to the Commissioner and made known to the other EU Institutions and to member states. EURAB's Annual Report and any advice or opinions it makes are published on the internet http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/eurab/ index—en.html

Public Holidays

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to introduce for all employees (a) statutory entitlement to bank and public holidays and (b) a right to either time off, double pay or time off in lieu; and if she will make a statement.

Alan Johnson: The Government have no plans to change the existing bank holiday arrangements.

Tropical Hardwoods

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what systems her Department has in place to track Brazilian mahogany in the UK for the purpose of issuing re-export licences where necessary.

Michael Meacher: I have been asked to reply.
	We have no systems in place to track Brazilian mahogany in the UK. An exporter wishing to re-export unprocessed Brazilian mahogany outside the EU requires a re-export permit from my Department, and would need to present a stamped import notification form as proof of legal importation. Any cargo presented for re-export without the necessary documentation would be liable for seizure.
	However, most Brazilian mahogany imported into the UK will be made into furniture and if re-exported will not require a re-export permit under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) because such permits are required only for logs, sawn woods and veneer sheets.

Small Businesses

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many members of her Department have been seconded to small businesses in the past five years; and what proportion of total placements these secondments account for.

Patricia Hewitt: In recording information on the secondment of DTI staff to the private sector we have not, historically, included an indication of the size of the companies involved. It is not therefore possible to give the information requested. However, I have placed in the Library of both Houses information on the number of secondments commenced in each of the past five years and the companies involved. The total number of secondments to the private sector since 1997 has been 112.
	We have recently introduced a new system for recording information on secondments and in future, where it is available, we will be recording within three ranges the size of the companies to which we send staff.

Small Businesses

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps the Government have taken to reduce the level of regulations affecting small businesses in the last three years; and what further plans she has in this respect.

Nigel Griffiths: The Government has put in place a number of measures to reduce the burden of regulations on small businesses, including:
	Announced in January 2000 that employers with over four or fewer employees will be exempt from the requirements to provide access to stakeholder pensions and deduct pension contributions.
	Announced in April 2000 an increase in the statutory audit threshold for companies from £350,000 to £1 million. This measure will relieve up to 150,000 small firms from the burden of a statutory audit, saving small companies up to £180 million a year.
	We have exempted small shops from the new EU unit pricing requirements.
	We have exempted employers with 20 or fewer employees from the trade union recognition procedures in the Employment Relations Act.
	The Small Business Service has produced clear guidance on a number of complex regulations.
	The Business Link Website is now attracting 80,000 users per month—and businesses can register to receive alerts about regulations automatically.
	A 12 weeks period between regulations has been agreed and implemented allowing owner managers time to adapt to the new regulations.
	Ensured that the view of small business influenced Patrick Carter's review of payroll administration, a copy of which is in the Libraries of the House.
	In February we published the regulatory Reform Action Plan—setting out over 250 proposals for better regulation and reform.
	Further to these measures:
	An estimated 900,000 SMEs benefit from measures announced in Budget 2002, including 485,000 businesses whose corporation tax bill has been cut or abolished, and 700,000 small businesses who will be able to benefit from our flat rate VAT scheme.
	Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs) have to be produced for all regulations setting out clearly the costs and benefits with full recognition of small business concerns. The Department's policy is to 'think small first': the Small Business Service has to be consulted on all RIAs to ensure that the impact on small firms is not disproportionate.
	Following the recent review of the DTL, the regulatory challenge function within the Department has been strengthened. A new team has been created specifically to consider how the Department should challenge existing and future legislation as well as to how to ensure all policy makers fully consider alternatives to regulation at the outset of the policy making process.

DEFENCE

Courts Martial

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of HM armed forces have been brought before courts martial in each of the past eight years charged with violent offences against (a) male and (b) female (i) members of HM armed forces and (ii) civilians.

Adam Ingram: The information is not held in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Courts Martial

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 18 March 2002, Official Report, column 61W, on courts martial, if he will break down the cases involving violent crime by (a) severity of offence, (b) sex of victim and (c) whether the victim was a member of HM armed forces.

Adam Ingram: Available information on cases in the three services presented to courts martial during the year 2000 involving violent crime are as follows. The services do not employ a formal ranking of severity for violent offences, and so the offences are presented by type.
	Royal Navy
	Assault occasioning actual bodily harm—11 charges. All victims were members of the armed forces and consisted of 10 males and one female.
	Assault—23 charges. 21 victims belonged to the armed forces and two were civilians and consisted of 18 males and five females.
	Fighting—2 charges. Both were naval personnel.
	Army
	Assault occasioning actual bodily harm—101 charges
	Common assault/battery—33 charges
	Grievous bodily harm/wounding—32 charges
	Grievous bodily harm/wounding with intent—9 charges
	Affray—7 charges
	Protection from harassment—4 charges
	Fighting/violence against a superior—3 charges
	Threatening/abusive behaviour—1 charge
	Other violent offences—2 charges.
	The Army statistics presented show individual cases that may include the individual being charged with more than one charge. In such cases, the more severe charge is listed—e.g, cases involving GBH and AOABH have been listed under GBH.
	The sex of the victim, or whether they were members of the armed forces or civilians is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Royal Air Force
	Assault occasioning actual bodily harm—12 charges
	Battery—12 charges
	Common assault—2 charges
	Grievous bodily harm—1 charge
	Unlawful wounding—1 charge.
	The sex of the victim, or whether they were members of the armed forces or civilians is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Service Personnel

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the net loss of people per month was for the (a) Army, (b) RAF and (c) Navy in each of the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The information requested is set out in the table.
	
		
			  Month of flow Naval service  Army  RAF 
		
		
			 April 2001 Officers 24 92 14 
			  Other ranks 121 445 96 
			 May 2001 Officers 92 70 20 
			  Other ranks 475 119 116 
			 June 2001 Officers 46 20 27 
			  Other ranks 17 450 35 
			 July 2001 Officers 28 20 80 
			  Other ranks 116 91 44 
			 August 2001 Officers 42 67 15 
			  Other ranks 298 85 33 
			 September 2001 Officers 133 189 0 
			  Other ranks 13 1,406 46 
			 October 2001 Officers 42 32 3 
			  Other ranks 143 0 5 
			 November 2001 Officers 47 52 1 
			  Other ranks 4 202 31 
			 December 2001 Officers 24 49 46 
			  Other ranks 82 251 75 
			 January 2002 Officers 109 250 49 
			  Other ranks 86 810 27 
			 February 2002 Officers 36 21 79 
			  Other ranks 34 194 154 
			 March 2002 Officers 25 16 7 
			  Other ranks 49 3 58 
		
	
	Naval service includes both Royal Navy and Royal Marines.
	Figures are for UK regular forces (including both trained and untrained personnel) and therefore exclude Gurkhas, full-time reserve personnel, the Home Service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment, mobilised reservists and activated reservists.

Service Personnel

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the manning targets for the three services have been redefined since the publication of the Strategic Defence Review; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: Manpower targets for each of the three services reflect the outcome of the strategic defence review and are set out in the current public service agreements. The target for each service is as follows:
	The Naval Service to reach full manning within a tolerance band +1–2 per cent. in 2004;
	The Army to reach 97 per cent. of its manning requirement in 2004;
	The Royal Air Force to reach full manning against the requirement within a tolerance band of +1–2 per cent. by 2004.
	The manpower requirement for each service reflects the necessity to deliver the capabilities and meet the commitments that were identified in the strategic defence review. The requirements, and the performance in meeting them, are reported by the Defence Analytical Services Agency both annually in UK defence statistics and quarterly under national statistics arrangements. Copies of these publications can be found in the Library of the House.
	The Services' manpower requirements are dynamic and subject to annual review in light of evolving doctrine, new technology and equipment, and possible changes to the operating environment. For example, a review of the Army's future manpower requirement has recently been concluded, resulting in a revised manning target of 106,978.

Service Personnel

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many servicemen and servicewomen applied for premature voluntary retirement in (a) 1997, (b) 1999, (c) 2000 and (d) 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to Tri-Service Publication 5: UK Regular Forces Premature Voluntary Release. This publication is available in the Library of the House and is updated on a quarterly basis.

Service Personnel

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the manpower shortages against trained establishment were in (a) 1998, (b) 1999, (c) 2000 and (d) 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to Table 1 of the Quarterly Press Release on Services Manpower (TSP 4), a copy of which is held in the Library of the House.

Service Personnel

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the manning targets are for the (a) Army, (b) Navy and (c) RAF; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: Manning targets can be found in the monthly publication; 'UK Armed Forces Strengths and Requirements' (TSP 3), a copy of which will be placed in the Library of the House.

Service Personnel

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the outflow was of Regular Serving Personnel for (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 2000–01; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: Outflow from trained strength of the UK Regular Forces is as follows:
	
		
			   Financial Year  
			  1997–98 1998–99 2000–01 
		
		
			 Total 19,030 19.750 18,430 
			 Naval Service 4,140 4,140 3,620 
			 Army 10,620 11,250 10,640 
			 RAF 4,270 4,360 4,180 
		
	
	Note:
	Due to rounding methods used totals may not always equal the exact sum of the parts.

Defence Logistics Organisation

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his latest estimate is of the expenditure overspend for the Defence Logistics Organisation in the current year; what the principal cause of the overspend is; and how the overspend is to be funded, broken down by in-year spending reductions under other budget headings of his Department.

Adam Ingram: The Defence Logistics Organisation is under remit to operate within its Control Totals for the current financial year 2002–03 and there is no reason to believe that it will overspend.

Tornado

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost has been of the Tornado F3 MLU programme.

Adam Ingram: The Tornado F3 fleet has not undergone a Mid-Life Update programme.
	A capability sustainment programme to integrate the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) and Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) onto the aircraft is nearing completion at a cost of £125 million.
	In addition, the Tornado F3 fleet is currently undergoing, or planned to undergo, a number of upgrade activities that will maintain the aircraft's operational capability for the remainder of its in-service life. The work comprises integration of secure communication equipment, a Successor Identification Friend or Foe system, an instrumentation enhancement to aid training and a programme to maximise the effectiveness of the AMRAAM, and will cost an additional £125 million.

Tornado

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects Tornado fighters fitted with AMRAAM to be operational; and what radar system will be fitted to such Tornado fighters.

Lewis Moonie: There are currently 94 Tornado F3 aircraft operational with Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles.
	The current radar system fitted to the Tornado F3 is the Foxhunter Air Intercept radar known as the A124. There are no plans to change it.

Tornado

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the AMRAAM missiles fitted to Tornado F3 aircraft are able to be used to their full capabilities.

Lewis Moonie: A capability sustainment programme to integrate the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) on the Tornado F3 aircraft is nearing completion. A further programme of work to optimise the effectiveness of AMRAAM is currently under way to enable the Tornado F3 fully to exploit the missile's capability. This work is due to be completed in the spring of next year.

Gurkhas

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has made to the Government of Nepal concerning the treatment of former British Army Gurkhas in Nepal by the Gurkha Army Ex-Servicemen's Organisation; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The Gurkha Army Ex-Servicemen's Organisation (GAESO) is one of a number of ex-Gurkha organisations based in Nepal. Unfortunately, there have been reports in the past of GAESO activists using threats of violence to extort money from former Gurkha soldiers. This is unacceptable intimidation of sometimes weak and vulnerable pensioners who have provided this country with dedicated service over many generations. In light of these reports, the then Minister for the Armed Forces, my right hon. Friend the Member for Warley (Mr. Spellar) wrote to the Prime Minister of Nepal in April 2000. Our concerns were also reinforced during subsequent visits to Nepal by my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Defence. The British Embassy in Kathmandu also maintain regular contact with the Nepalese Government and police authorities. There have been no reports of illicit fund raising since October 2001.

Harrier GR9

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what extra training Sea Harrier pilots will have to undergo to convert to Harrier GR9; and what the cost will be of that training per pilot.

Adam Ingram: We expect Sea Harrier FA2 pilots to undertake a course lasting approximately 12 weeks, comprising approximately 35 hours of flying, in order to convert to the Harrier GR7 aircraft. The content of the conversion course has yet to be finalised but the majority of training will be learning how to operate the aircraft weapons systems and sensors.
	It is anticipated that the conversion course will be cost neutral because Sea Harrier FA2 pilots would have flown approximately the same number of hours to retain currency in that aircraft during a similar period. No additional resources have therefore been needed for this training.

Tank Regiments

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  if he plans to reduce the number of tank regiments in the British Army;
	(2)  if he plans to reduce the number of Challenger 2 tanks in the British Army; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: There are no plans to reduce the number of tank regiments or the number of Challenger 2 tanks in the British Army.

Tank Regiments

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) establishment and (b) fully trained manned strength was of each tank regiment in the British Army in March of each of the past five years; and if he plans to reduce the establishment of the regiments.

Adam Ingram: The establishment and trained manned strength of regiments equipped with Challenger 2 tanks 1 as at 1 April 2002 and in each of the previous four years is detailed as follows. There are no plans to reduce the establishment of these regiments.
	1 8 Squadron 1 Royal Tank Regiment/Joint Nuclear Biological and Chemical Regiment retains Challenger 2 tanks in their role as the demonstrations squadron at Warminster.
	
		
			 Regiment Establishment Strength 
		
		
			 1 April 2002   
			 Scots Dragoon Guards 497 457 
			 Royal Dragoon Guards 497 495 
			 Queen's Royal Hussars 497 508 
			 King's Royal Hussars 497 488 
			 Queen's Royal Lancers 497 475 
			 2 Royal Tank Regiment 506 489 
			
			 1 April 2001   
			 Scots Dragoon Guards 497 415 
			 Royal Dragoon Guards 497 470 
			 Queen's Royal Hussars 497 441 
			 King's Royal Hussars 497 486 
			 Queen's Royal Lancers 497 451 
			 2 Royal Tank Regiment 506 538 
			   
			 1 April 2000   
			 Scots Dragoon Guards 511 424 
			 Royal Dragoon Guards 511 431 
			 Queen's Royal Hussars 511 399 
			 King's Royal Hussars 511 463 
			 Queen's Royal Lancers 511 445 
			 2 Royal Tank Regiment 511 439 
			
			 1 April 1999   
			 Scots Dragoon Guards 411 382 
			 Royal Dragoon Guards 470 412 
			 Queen's Royal Hussars 408 396 
			 King's Royal Hussars 470 453 
			 Queen's Royal Lancers 470 514 
			 2 Royal Tank Regiment 410 387 
			 1 April 1998   
			 Scots Dragoon Guards 394 373 
			 Royal Dragoon Guards 470 400 
			 Queen's Royal Hussars 470 470 
			 King's Royal Hussars 470 451 
			 Queen's Royal Lancers 470 440 
			 2 Royal Tank Regiment 394 380

Parachute Regiment

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the establishment target figure was for each battalion of the Parachute Regiment at the end of the year 2001; what the actual figures were in each case; and if he plans to cut the establishment target figures for the Parachute Regiment.

Adam Ingram: The establishment and trained manned strength of the three regular battalions of the Parachute Regiment as at 1 January 2002 is detailed in the table.
	
		
			  Establishment Strength 
		
		
			 1 PARA 620 599 
			 2 PARA(4) 686 695 
			 3 PARA 687 712 
			 Total 1,993 2,006 
		
	
	(4) The figures provided for both the establishment and strength of 2 PARA do not include the Gurkha Reinforcement Company that was attached to the battalion up until 1 April 2002.
	Due to the reorganisation of 16 Air Assault Brigade announced in December 2001 and the inclusion of 1 PARA within the Brigade structure, it is planned to adjust the establishment of the three regular parachute battalions, towards a common figure of about 650.

Infantry Recruitment

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of infantry recruits was generated by (a) the Recruitment Group and (b) by the regiment's own efforts in the last 12 months.

Adam Ingram: Army recruiting is an integrated operation involving both the Army Training and Recruiting Agency's Recruiting Group and the Field Army. All recruits are enlisted at an armed forces career office, and no central record of the source of their interest is maintained, although Recruiting Group is developing a contacts management database that will provide a broad indication of this in due course.

Royal Navy Vessels (Asylum Seekers)

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many Royal Navy vessels, and of which types, have been identified as being suitable for the control and interception of asylum seekers;
	(2)  what requests he has received from other Departments for Royal Navy vessels to be used in the interception and control of asylum seekers; and how many vessels have been requested;
	(3)  what plans he has for Royal Navy vessels to patrol (a) domestic and (b) international waters on duties related to the control and interception of asylum seekers.

Adam Ingram: The management of all issues relating to immigration and asylum are the responsibility of the Home Office. Should they require military assistance, procedures are in place for them to make a request to the Ministry of Defence. No request has been received relating to the interception of asylum seekers in either national or international waters.

Hercules

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects work to be completed on the assessment of the airflow around the fuselage of the C130J Hercules aircraft.

Adam Ingram: We are currently looking at what effect the airflow characteristics of the C130J Hercules aircraft has on its role in the aerial delivery of paratroopers and material. Separate trials are required for the C130J Mk5 and Mk4 aircraft and it is expected that all elements of the work will be successfully completed by mid-2003.

Contaminated Land

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what regulations cover radioactively contaminated land (a) owned and (b) managed by his Department.

Adam Ingram: At present there are no regulations covering specifically radioactively contaminated land. However, a consultation paper on the control and remediation of radioactively contaminated land was jointly published by the then Department for Environment, Transport and the Regions and the Welsh and Scottish Offices in February 1998. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is considering the way forward on regulations concerning radioactively contaminated land in the light of the responses to that consultation.

Contaminated Land

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent studies have been conducted by (a) his Department, (b) non-departmental public bodies responsible to his Department and (c) consultants on behalf of his Department into the clean up of (i) radioactively contaminated land and (ii) land contaminated by non- radioactive toxic pollution.

Adam Ingram: In 1995 the Ministry of Defence embarked on a prioritised programme to assess the land quality across the defence estate. More than 600 land quality assessments have been carried out across the defence estate since the start of the programme. The land quality assessment work carried out to date has indicated that the majority of the defence estate is free of contamination, and where contamination has been identified, it has been predominantly localised and confined to soil horizons. The common contaminants are metals, fuels, oils and lubricants, solvents, and to a lesser extent, asbestos and radionuclides from luminised instruments. Where contamination has been encountered, appropriate management actions have been taken.

Nuclear Materials (Transportation)

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was (a) the origin of the consignment, (b) the physical form, (c) the isotopic composition and (d) the quantity of the nuclear materials delivered from the United States to RAF Brize Norton on 19 April; what carrier was used for the delivery; and whether the consignment is covered by the Reppir regulations on radiological emergencies and public information.

Adam Ingram: I am withholding details in accordance with Exemption 1—defence, security and international relations—of the code of practice on access to Government.

Dirty Radioactive Bombs

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent research has been undertaken (a) by and (b) on behalf of his Department into prophylactic measures to deal with dirty radioactive bombs.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence does not carry out research targeted at dealing with dirty radioactive bombs. However, my Department is carrying out relevant research, including work on the nuclear and radiological aspects of military NBC defence, a review of potential radiological weapons, and support to development of equipment for use by service personnel in military operations, such as radiation alarms, dosimeters and survey meters. Among other things, this contributes to the Home Office led, inter-departmental mechanisms that ensure the Government can prevent, and respond to the widest possible range of terrorist actions in the United Kingdom.

India

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last held discussions with the Indian Defence Minister.

Geoff Hoon: I last had formal discussions with my counterpart, the Indian Defence Minister on 22 January 2002. Although we met briefly at the International Institute for Strategic Studies conference on Asian security held in Singapore between 31 May and 2 June 2000, it was not possible to hold substantive discussions.

Jobs (Scotland)

Tom Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of jobs in Scotland (a) directly and (b) indirectly dependent on defence expenditure.

Adam Ingram: The most recent figures published by the Defence Analytical Services Agency (DASA) indicate that there are 9,044 civilian personnel and 14,460 service personnel directly employed by the Ministry of Defence in Scotland. The most recent figures for civilian and service personnel are from April 2002 and July 2001 respectively.
	It is estimated that around 6,000 people are supported by the placement of MOD contracts in Scotland. This is the most recent figure available and relates to the year 1998–99.
	At present, we do not have any figures to suggest how many people are supported by MOD work that has been sub-contracted to Scottish firms.
	It is difficult to estimate the indirect jobs that MOD generates and we are currently reviewing our multiplier methodology. As a rule of thumb, using a multiplier of 0.5, a further 14,752 people may be indirectly supported by the MOD presence in Scotland both through firms which supply goods and services to MOD/contractor establishments in Scotland (indirect jobs), and through consumer spending by MOD/contractor employees in the country (induced effects).

Troop Deployments

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British troops are stationed abroad; and in which countries.

Adam Ingram: I refer my hon. Friend to Tri-Service Publication 6: Global Deployment of Service Personnel. This publication is available in the House of Commons Library and is updated on a six-monthly basis.

Army (Recruitment)

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many applications to join the Army from Northern Ireland were rejected on national security grounds in each year since 1998.

Adam Ingram: Applications to join the Army in Northern Ireland that were rejected for all reasons for the period requested as follows:
	
		
			 Financial year Applications rejected 
		
		
			 1997–98 227 
			 1998–99 162 
			 1999–2000 189 
			 2000–01 165 
			 2001–02 99 
			 2002–03(5) 16 
		
	
	(5) To date.
	In common with other Government Departments, it is the Ministry of Defence's policy to maintain the freedom to accept, or reject, any person for employment without disclosing the reason why.

Army (Recruitment)

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many applications to join the Army were made in each year since 1998.

Adam Ingram: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			 Financial Year  Number of applications 
		
		
			 1998–99 37,915 
			 1999–2000 37,844 
			 2000–01 33,679 
			 2001–02 38,855 
			 2002–03(6) 7,951 
		
	
	(6) To 31 May.

Defence Procurement

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Coventry, South (Mr. Cunningham) of 10 June 2002, Official Report, column 748W, if he will state which of the countries listed have offset agreements with the UK; what the value of UK defence exports to each listed country in each year since 1997 was; and in how many cases MOUs were signed after June 1997.

Lewis Moonie: The only Government to Government offset arrangement is that associated with the Al Yamamah programme in Saudi Arabia. Otherwise offset arrangements are normally a matter between the customer and the vendor company. Information on commercial offset agreements are not held centrally by the Ministry of Defence and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Lists of licences granted for the countries mentioned in the answer of 10 June can be found in copies of the Strategic Export Controls annual reports for 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000. Copies of these reports can be found in the Library of the House. The 2001 edition is currently being prepared.
	Since 1997 the UK Government have signed 47 memorandums of understandings. Countries featured are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Egypt, Finland, Germany, Italy, Jordan, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, USA.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Research Projects

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what research projects sponsored and undertaken by her Department have been (a) cancelled and (b) postponed in the last three months;
	(2)  what recent changes have been made to her Department's research budget.

Margaret Beckett: The creation of DEFRA has brought together research, monitoring, surveillance and advisory programmes totalling in excess of £250 million annually. We are currently reviewing our science programmes and strategy following the recent appointment of a new Chief Scientific Adviser and in the light of the aims and objectives of the new Department.

Ozone-depleting Substances

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations her Department has made to the European Commission seeking the promotion of non-ozone depleting alternative refrigerants.

Michael Meacher: The Department has not made any direct representations to the Commission on this issue. However, my officials meet regularly with counterparts from other EC member states and the European Commission to discuss issues arising from EC Regulation 2037–2000 on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. They are taking an active part as members of the European Commission's "European Climate Change Programme (ECCP) Working Group Industry, Work Item Fluorinated Gases", which considers policies and measures on fluorinated gases such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) to enable the European Community to meet its commitments under the Kyoto Protocol.
	On 23 October 2001, the Commission adopted the Communication on the implementation of the first phase of the ECCP. This includes a proposal to bring forward legislation designed to reduce emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases, including HFCs, along the lines recommended in the report of the Working Group. The Environment Council, at its meeting of 12 December 2001, supported the Commission's proposal for legislative action.
	The European Commission expects to publish a first draft of the legislation this Autumn. By implementing regulatory action on ozone depleting substances, as well as on HFCs which replace them in applications such as refrigeration, I anticipate a greater use of refrigerants which have no ozone-depleting potential and do not significantly contribute to climate change.

Ozone-depleting Substances

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action her Department is taking to persuade the European Commission to accelerate the phase-out dates for ozone depleting substances.

Michael Meacher: My officials meet regularly with counterparts from other EC member states and the European Commission to discuss issues arising from EC Regulation 2037–2000 which implements the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Together with the European Commission, the UK and other member states consider possible EC proposals for improving and strengthening the Protocol.
	EC Regulation 2037–2000 already imposes on the UK and other member states significantly stricter controls on the production, sale and use of ozone-depleting substances than are required of other Parties to the Protocol. For example, the Regulation bans the use of CFCs in the servicing of existing equipment, where the Protocol only concerns itself with their production and supply to the market and imposes no use controls. Also, HCFCs are to be phased out under the Protocol by 2030, but under the Regulation they must be phased out by 2010 for newly-produced material and 2015 for recycled material.

Rural Economy

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many income- deprived rural wards there were in England and Wales in the last 10 years; and what percentage of wards this was.

Alun Michael: Information on the percentage of people in receipt of means-tested benefits in rural wards in England is contained in the table.
	
		
			 Percentage of people in receipt of means-tested benefit  Number of rural wards 
		
		
			 Less than 5 102 
			 5 to less than 10 1,271 
			 10 to less than 15 1,317 
			 15 to less than 20 753 
			 20 to less than 25 338 
			 25 to less than 30 168 
			 30 to less than 40 123 
			 40 or more 25 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Analysis of figures for Wales is a matter for the Welsh Assembly Government.
	2. Information for other years is not readily available.
	3. The benefits and the year to which the data relate are:
	adults in income support households for 1998; children in income support households for 1998; adults in income based jobseeker's allowance households for 1998; children in income based jobseeker's allowance households for 1998; adults in family credit households for 1999; children in family credit households for 1999; adults in disability working allowance households for 1999; children in disability working allowance households for 1999; non-earning, non-IS pensioner and disabled council tax benefit recipients for 1998.
	4. People in receipt of more than one means-tested benefit are counted only once.
	5. There is no agreed percentage above which areas are defined as income-deprived. The table therefore gives the number of rural wards in each percentage band.
	6. There is variation between areas in the extent to which people who are eligible claim means-tested benefits.
	Sources:
	Figures for numbers in receipt of benefits come from the Department for Work and Pensions and form the basis of the Index of Income Deprivation (a subset of the Index of Multiple Deprivation).
	Classification of rural wards made by the Countryside Agency.

Rural Economy

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many households in rural areas lived below the poverty line in each of the last 12 years, broken down by constituency.

Alun Michael: Information on the number of households below average income is not available for rural areas within each constituency. A table containing information on the percentage of people in receipt of means-tested benefit in rural wards in each constituency will be placed in the House of Commons Library.

Rural Economy

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to allocate additional funds for young people through (a) specific grants and (b) the revenue support grant to rural local authorities.

Alun Michael: We work closely across Government to ensure that policies for children and young people take into account particular rural issues rather than allocating separate funds through such grant mechanisms. Both Sure Start and Connexions are good examples of Government programmes where the identification of specific rural needs have led to the policies being developed in ways that help meet those needs.

Funding

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many projects were funded and what amount of funding was given by her Department and its predecessor to research on disease mechanisms, broken down by category, in each of the last 10 years.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 13 June 2002
	The level of DEFRA/MAFF funded research into veterinary science has increased from £20.7 million to £37.5 million per annum over the past ten years, 1992–93 to 2001–02 inclusive. The number of projects funded is relatively constant with 281 funded in 1992–92 and 294 in 2001–02.
	A summary of the number of projects and annual costs broken down by disease category is as follows.
	
		DEFRA/MAFF funded veterinary research
		
			  SE(7) (£) FBZ(8) (£) TB(9) (£) Welfare(10) (£) TSEs(11) (£) Endemics(12) (£) Vetmed(13) (£) Total spend (£) Total no. of projects 
		
		
			 1992–93 2,534,312 1,314,202 922,200 5,047,372 5,700,000 4,238,000 1,011,000 20,767,086 281 
			 1993–94 3,655,164 1,613,991 1,071,544 4,829,620 6,200,000 4,805,000 1,151,000 23,326,319 284 
			 1994–95 4,426,804 1,712,476 1,286,560 4,228,202 5,800,000 3,960,771 1,689,424 23,104,237 267 
			 1995–96 4,189,123 1,908,169 1,484,286 4,255,462 5,600,000 3,892,278 1,712,758 23,042,076 274 
			 1996–97 3,997,814 1,920,323 1,692,981 4,200,706 6,800,000 3,995,019 1,837,397 24,444,240 277 
			 1997–98 3,650,299 1,993,241 1,719,387 4,078,745 10,100,000 3,785,207 1,804,333 27,140,212 299 
			 1998–99 3,549,670 1,743,123 2,541,005 3,654,758 12,651,000 3,760,415 1,809,258 29,709,229 279 
			 1999–2000 3,803,981 3,023,709 4,114,066 3,361,174 15,068,000 3,315,959 1,439,685 34,126,574 308 
			 2000–01 3,746,853 3,528,362 5,265,709 3,714,391 13,284,000 3,127,310 1,576,388 34,243,013 301 
			 2001–02 3,864,687 3,348,476 6,112,005 3,208,878 16,243,407 2,967,958 1,831,383 37,576,794 294 
		
	
	(7) Statutory and exotic diseases
	(8) Food borne zoonoses
	(9) Bovine tuberculosis
	(10) Animal welfare
	(11) Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy
	(12) Alternatives to pharmaceutical control of disease
	(13) Veterinary medicines

Funding

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what level of funding was provided by her Department and its predecessor to veterinary science research, broken down by category, in (a) cash and (b) at constant prices in each of the last 10 years.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 13 June 2002
	The level of funding into veterinary science research provided by DEFRA/MAFF over the last 10 years is provided in the table. This has increased from £20.7 million to £37.5 million per annum over the past 10 years, 1992–93 to 2001–02 inclusive.
	
		DEFRA/MAFF funded veterinary research
		
			  1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 
		
		
			 SE(14) 2,534,312 3,655,164 4,426,804 4,189,123 3,997,184 3,650,299 3,549,670 3,803,981 3,746,853 3,864,687 
			 FBZ(15) 1,314,202 1,613,991 1,712,476 1,908,169 1,920,323 1,993,241 1,743,123 3,023,709 3,528,362 3,348,476 
			 TB(16) 922,200 1,071,544 1,286,560 1,484,286 1,692,981 1,719,387 2,541,005 4,114,066 5,265,709 6,112,005 
			 Welfare(17) 5,047,372 4,829,620 4,228,202 4,255,462 4,200,706 4,087,745 3,654,758 3,361,174 3,714,391 3,208,878 
			 TSEs(18) 5,700,000 6,200,000 5,800,000 5,600,000 6,800,000 10,100,000 12,651,000 15,068,000 13,284,000 16,243,407 
			 Endemics(19) 4,238,000 4,805,000 3,960,771 3,892,278 3,995,019 3,785,207 3,760,415 3,315,959 3,127,310 2,967,958 
			 Vetmed(20) 1,011,000 1,151,000 1,689,424 1,712,758 1,837,397 1,804,333 1,809,258 1,439,685 1,576,388 1,831,383 
			 Total spend 20,767,086 23,326,319 23,104,237 23,042,076 24,444,240 27,140,212 29,709,229 34,126,574 34,243,013 37,576,794 
			 Total number of projects 281 284 267 274 277 299 279 308 301 294 
		
	
	(14) Statutory and exotic diseases
	(15) Food borne zoonoses
	(16) Bovine tuberculosis
	(17) Animal welfare
	(18) Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy
	(19) Alternatives to pharmaceutical control of disease
	(20) Veterinary medicines

Funding

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what initiatives, broken down by category and amount, have received Agriculture Development Scheme funding over the last two years.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 18 June 2002
	There have been three rounds of the Agriculture Development Scheme. For reasons of commercial confidentiality the amounts of individual awards are not published. The successful projects and the sectors to which they relate are listed below. A total of £7 million has been awarded: £2 million on 2 February 2000, £3 million on 14 August 2000 and a further £2 million on 18 February 2002.
	
		First round: £2 million of awards announced 2 February 2000
		
			 Sector Lead organisation Project 
		
		
			 Pigs Assured British Meat National assurance database information and administration system (pigs module) 
			 Pigs Assured British Meat ABM Assured British Pigs Scheme data merger 
			 Pigs BOCM Pauls Ltd. Maximising pig carcase value 
			 Pigs/organic Eastbrook Farm Organic Meats Ltd. Growing the organic pigmeat market from a UK production base 
			 Pigs Food Trak plc Traceability in the pig meat supply chain 
			 Pigs JSR Farms Ltd. Integrated pig meat supply initiative 
			 Pigs Ladies In Pigs A catering colleges initiative to secure the future for British pigmeat in catering 
			 Pigs Meat and Livestock Commission Project 2: improving supply chain communications 
			 Pigs National Pig Association A risk management initiative for the UK pig industry 
			 Pigs United Pig Marketing A shared IT and information system for UPM and its supply chain partners 
			 Pigs University of Aberdeen A training package for the British pig industry using multi-media technology 
			 Beef Glendale Beef Producers Glendale Beef Producers initiative 
			 Beef/dairy Warwickshire Quality Calves Improving the value of beef calves from the dairy herd 
			 Dairy National Milk Records plc Proposal for a south-west dairy information network 
			 Dairy/organic Organic Milk Suppliers Co-operative Design and initial implementation of a novel technology transfer and quality management system on organic dairy farms 
			 Dairy/speciality Business Link Bradford and District Feasibility study into potential for a yoghurt production facility for the Asian community 
			 Eggs British Free Range Egg Producers Association British Free Range Egg Marketing Company Ltd. 
			 Sheep British Sheep Dairying Association Implementation of structural development of the sheep dairy sector 
			 Sheep/speciality Business Link Bradford and District New routes to new markets—investigation into ways of making better use of sheepmeat products to the benefit of producers 
			 Wild Boar The British Wild Boar Association To improve collaborative marketing activity between primary and secondary producers of British farmed wild boar 
			 Livestock general Assured British Meat Multiple retail caterers—food safety assurance module 
			 Livestock general Assured British Meat Assurance chain—focus farms 
			 Livestock general/ regional/speciality Assured British Meat Assurance and food heritage 
			 Livestock general Farmway Ltd. Marketing co-operatively produced branded pork, beef and lamb through 'Farmway' co-operative stores: a feasibility study 
			 Livestock general Harper Adams University College Building regional enterprise and agricultural competitiveness through IT (Breakthrough-IT) 
			 Livestock general Meadow Valley Livestock Ltd. Improving farmers' efficiency and returns by directing them to market led, added value marketing schemes 
			 Livestock general South East Primestock Producers (SEPP) Ltd. A plan for regional growth and farmer 
			 Livestock general/ organic/speciality Humane Slaughter Association Mobile slaughter unit 2000 
			 Nursery stock Horticultural Trades Association A project to influence structural change in the landscape supply chain to build value in the soft landscape market 
			 Nursery stock Horticultural Trades Association A project to extend the HTA nursery certification scheme to include the inspection and supply of local provenance 
			 Nursery stock Horticultural Trades Association A project to develop a greater understanding of the supply chain within the nurserystock sector 
			 Onions British Onion Producers Organisation Sector analysis of the onion market 
			 Potatoes Hereward Growers Collaborative marketing initiative 
			 Soft fruit Advanced Marketing Services Ltd. Soft fruit development for category management 
			 Soft fruit The Berryworld Producers' Organisation Ltd. Development of an integrated traceability system for the soft fruit industry 
			 Tomatoes Tomato Growers Association Investigation into the development of an integrated quality management system for the British tomato industry 
			 Top fruit Fruition Group Ltd. Rationalisation: the basis of a full category player 
			 Horticulture general Checkmate International Benchmarking services for the EUREP GAP framework 
			 Horticulture general Institute of Grocery Distribution Benchmarking the industry 
			 Combinable crops Samuel Rose Ltd. Promoting vertical integration through farmer collaboration in agricultural supply chains 
			 Combinable crops United Grain Producers The Marlborough Group (working together to improve farm incomes) 
			 Farmers' markets National Association of Farmers Markets Together to market 
			 Direct selling Farm Retail Association Red and green box scheme feasibility study 
			 Viticulture The Magpie Consultancy Formation of a collaborative marketing company owned by producers and devoted to the marketing development of the wines and vineyards of England 
			 Trout Longford Estate Co-ordinated approach to trout marketing 
			 General Plunkett Foundation Increasing competitiveness in the farmer controlled business sector through the use of best practice benchmarking 
			 General Lantra Increasing the competitiveness of the land based sector 
		
	
	
		Second round: £3 million of awards announced 14 August 2000
		
			 Sector  Lead organisation Project 
		
		
			 Beef Beef Improvement Grouping Ltd. Stabiliser suckler beef dam line—accelerated multiplication and selection 
			 Beef Mole Valley Farmers Ltd. The Pilgrim Beef Project 
			 Dairy National Dairy Farm Assurance Scheme Ltd. Re-assuring the milk supply chain 
			 Eggs British Free Range Egg Marketing Ltd. Establishment of an internet based free range and organic egg inter-trading system in co-operation with Freedom Food Egg Guarantee Scheme (EGS) 
			 Eggs United Kingdom Egg Producers Association Ltd. Enriched cages—impact on future market strategy for independent poultry producers in the UK 
			 Pigs British Pig Association Collaborative market research, benchmarking and marketing to increase sales of 'pedigree pork' 
			 Pigs Cotswold Pig and Development Company Ltd. To manage the pig supply chain by introducing new business practices that increase the level of collaborative marketing 
			 Pigs Dalehead Foods Ltd. Design and development of an e-supply chain 
			 Pigs Environment Agency Wessex Outdoor Pig Partnership 
			 Pigs Meat and Livestock Commission Collaborative Catering Pork Proposal 
			 Pigs University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne A training package for the British pig industry using multi-media technology 
			 Poultrymeat—organic Sheepdrove Organic Farm The Sheepdrove Organic Poultry Producer Group 
			 Sheep Meat and Livestock Commission Northern Uplands Sheep Strategy—To improve the financial viability of hill sheep producers, by increasing the number of lambs meeting market requirements 
			 Sheep Messrs. Dixon The Scrapie Resistant Swaledale Sheep Project 
			 Veal Anglo Dutch Meats (Charing) Ltd. UK welfare friendly veal production for export under DBES 
			 Veal Rose Veal UK Ltd. (Phase 2) Natural fed, freedom reared, welfare friendly, British veal 
			 Venison British Deer Farmers Association Farmed Venison Production: Improving efficiency and standards in the supply chain by streamlining best practice transfer 
			 Livestock—general Meadow Valley Livestock Ltd. Provision of specialist advice to pig producers; added value markets for beef and lamb. 
			 Livestock—general Rare Breeds Survival Trust Traditional Breeds Meat Marketing Scheme (TBMMS) 
			 Cereals Glencore Grain UK Ltd. Use of an internet tool to improve profitability of cereal production 
			 Cereals National Institute of Agricultural Botany Benchmarking the market focus of the UK cereal producing sector 
			 Cereals United Grain Producers Ltd. Improving the market awareness and competitive position of "Farmer Controlled Businesses" in the development and marketing of combinable crops 
			 Top fruit English Apples and Pears Creation and validation of a maturity index for English dessert apples and pears 
			 Ornamentals EUROGRO Workshops and training seminars under the agricultural development scheme second bidding round 
			 Industrial crops British Biogen National Scheme For Energy Crop Marketing and Development 
			 Fish British Trout Association Economic impact assessment of the UK trout industry 
			 Other First Honey Co-operative Collaborative marketing of British honey; an initiative by First Honey Co-operative 
			 General Assured Food Standards Developing the definitive authority for farm and food assurance 
			 Farmers' markets National Association of Farmers Markets Marketing for Markets 
			 General National Farmers Union London Improving competitiveness, building a better understanding of the food supply chain among farmers, growers and directors of FCBs. 
			 Collaborative marketing Plunkett Foundation Collaborative Marketing—working together for profit 
		
	
	
		Third round: £2 million of awards announced 18 February 2002
		
			 Sector Lead organisation Project 
		
		
			 Beef Beef Improvement Grouping Ltd. and Paragon Beef Genetic Services—a joint venture to enable central embryo transfer provision and maximum stabiliser multiplication rates. 
			 Beef Swindells Livestock Ltd. and Dickens Partnership The production of quality beef from intensive vegetable production by-products, dairy calves, a by-product of the dairy industry and the investigating of marketing alternatives for this product using non-traditional market systems 
			 Beef/dairy Meadow Quality Ltd. Facilitating integrated collaborative marketing; integrated suckler-cow beef supply chains; and enabling dairy farmers and rearers to be involved partners in improved English beef production. 
			 Beef/dairy UK Sire Services Ltd. Promotion of the English beef and dairy gene pool 
			 Dairy Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers and Plunkett Foundation Strengthening the competitiveness of English milk groups—improved corporate governance through farmer-director development. 
			 Pigs PIC UK Ltd. on behalf of QSC Farmer Group QSC—quality supply chain 
			 Pigs Porcofram Marketing Future marketing and production strategies 
			 Sheep British Charollais Sheep Society To establish a central body, which acts as the main link between ram breeders, prime lamb producers, abattoirs, meat processors, retailers and consumers and lead to the consumption of improved quality lamb from farms, which are selected by consumers. 
			 Sheep Meat and Livestock Commission Northern Upland Sheep Strategy—Phase 2 
			 Livestock/general Freedom Food Freedom Food Direct: A new model for animal agriculture. 
			 Livestock/general Oxlot Ltd. 21st century Livestock Marketing: Live real time on line market auction. 
			 General/regional food South West Regional Food and Drink Group South West Food Plus—a pilot model for a regional food trade organisation. 
			 General Farmers First plc The establishment of Aria foods and the introduction of meat chips into the UK Market. 
			 General Model Farm Society Model farm society 
			 General Royal Agricultural Society of England Farmer controlled businesses: raising the game

Genetically Modified Crops

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what (a) timetable and (b) expenditure is planned for the public debate on genetically modified crops.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 13 June 2002
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced on 31 May that the Government considered that there should be a full and informed debate on GM issues, including GM crops. The Government want to start the debate as soon as possible. They are considering the timetable and expenditure for the debate.

Genetically Modified Crops

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what plans she has to change the procedure for approval of GM foods and seeds;
	(2)  what plans she has to alter the rights of members of the public who object to the approval of GM foods and seeds to protest against such moves.

Michael Meacher: All EU member states are in the process of implementing directive 2001/18/EC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms, which replaces and updates the old directive 90/220/EEC.
	The new directive introduces a more robust framework for taking decisions on whether or not to allow the release of GMOs, including GM seeds, in the UK and the EU. It clarifies and increases the level of scientific scrutiny required in assessing safety implications of proposed releases of GMOs. Risk assessments have been extended to cover 'indirect' and 'long-term' risks to the environment. It also introduces 'post-market monitoring', under which any GMO which is granted consent to be used commercially must be monitored for unanticipated effects on the environment.
	The new directive also introduces a new requirement for mandatory public consultation before decisions are taken on applications for consents to release GMOs. We propose that public consultations in England on research trial applications must last for a minimum of 48 days. Consultations on commercial applications (for which the European Commission is responsible) will consist of two separate periods of 30 days.
	The Department consulted the public on broad issues raised by the new directive in autumn 2001. We recently began a second public consultation on draft implementing regulations for England, and aim for the regulations to enter into force in October 2002. Copies of the consultation paper are being placed in the parliamentary Libraries.
	The Scottish Executive, the National Assembly for Wales and the Department of Environment for Northern Ireland will make separate implementing regulations on issues for which they have devolved powers.
	GM foods are approved in Europe in accordance with the provisions of the EC Novel Foods and Novel Foods Ingredients Regulation (258/97). A European Commission proposal for a single GM food and feed regulation is currently under negotiation. The proposal aims to improve the involvement of the public in the authorisation process.
	Changes to the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 2001 will be needed in the near future to amend references to EC seeds marketing directives which are currently being codified by the Council of the European Union. In addition, on 21 November 2000 the Government replied to a parliamentary question about changes to the arrangement for requesting a hearing on proposed national list decisions. In this reply, the Government said that they would wish to consider whether the current arrangements are satisfactory for all parties, in the light of the proposed addition of a genetically modified plant variety, Chardon LL, to the national list. The Chardon LL hearing will finish around mid-June this year and the time is right to review how those arrangements have worked. If changes are proposed, all interested parties will be fully consulted.

Driving Lessons (Teenagers)

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what environmental assessment and assessment of the traffic implications she has made of proposals to encourage the (a) loan of mopeds and (b) cash help for driving lessons to teenagers in rural areas.

Alun Michael: The rural White Paper charged the Countryside Agency with evaluating existing Wheels to Work schemes and subsequent production of a good practice guide for their development and implementation. The evaluation does not include a specific environmental assessment or an assessment of the traffic implications of encouraging loans of mopeds or cash help for driving lessons for teenagers in rural areas.
	Such assessments were not deemed to be necessary because the scale of Wheels to Work is fairly small: 21 schemes were identified and while new schemes will be set up, they are only ever likely to affect a small proportion of the population. The Countryside Agency will continue to monitor the number of new schemes developing to remain informed about possible environmental impacts.

Countryside Access

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of access to the countryside and right of way broken down by region; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: We are on course to meet our target to open up all open country and registered common land in England under Part I of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 by the end of 2005. Draft maps of open country and registered common land have been issued and consulted upon for the south-east and lower north-west regions, but no specific assessment by region has been carried out. An assessment of the condition of rights of way in England was published recently by the Countryside Agency, but the Government have not produced any information on rights of way nationally or regionally. Work is progressing to produce regulations for Part II of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 with an aim to have the majority of provisions in force by the end of 2003.

Timber

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will support the proposal from Nicaragua and Guatemala to upgrade mahogany from CITES appendix III to appendix II at the 12th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES in November.

Michael Meacher: As with all plant proposals put to the 12th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, we shall be advised on this by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, our scientific authority on these matters.
	I can confirm, however, that in principle we support the proposal by Nicaragua to include the neotropical populations of Swietenia macrophylla (big leaf mahogany) in appendix II of the convention.

Timber

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to seize Brazilian mahogany imported since 19 October 2001.

Michael Meacher: We have no plans to seize Brazilian mahogany imported since 19 October 2001. All of the mahogany that has been imported into the United Kingdom since then has been accompanied by export permits provided by the Brazilian Management Authority.

Countryside Stewardship Scheme

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of countryside stewardship agreements her Department's Rural Development Service has visited in each year since the scheme began.

Elliot Morley: A programme of care and maintenance visits is carried out by technical staff from DEFRA's Rural Development Service. This programme currently aims to cover around 20 per cent. of agreements each year. These visits are not part of the separate compliance monitoring programme, undertaken by staff from the Rural Payments Agency which inspects 5 per cent. of agreements annually. Prior to the creation of the Rural Development Service in April 2001, care and maintenance visits were carried out by technical staff from the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency.

Trickle Irrigation

Helen Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will examine the case for the protection of trickle irrigation in consultations on the draft water Bill; and if she will make it her policy that trickle irrigators are (a) granted time- limited licences equivalent to their current abstraction and (b) equally treated with other abstractors when licences are reviewed under the Environment Agency's Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy.

Michael Meacher: I have examined the case for the protection of trickle irrigation before issuing the Government's response to the consultation on the water Bill. There will be a two-year transitional period during which trickle abstractors can apply for abstraction licences. During this time the Environment Agency will be required to ensure that there is no derogation of their abstractions.
	The Department is drawing up transitional provisions aiming to ensure that established use of trickle irrigation is not disadvantaged compared to other licensed abstractions for agricultural or horticultural purposes. In doing so, I shall consider whether present trickle irrigators should be automatically granted time limited licences equivalent to their current abstraction when the exemption is removed, to enable trickle licences to be reviewed on a par with other abstractions as part of the Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy (CAMS) process.

Broadband

Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the benefits of access to broadband services for rural diversification; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: The Government are convinced that ICT has a central role in broadening the economic base in rural areas. Stimulating broadband across the whole of the UK, especially outside of large towns and cities, is one of Government's top priorities. Measures to drive further roll-out will include:
	encouraging infrastructure sharing by telecommunications companies to reduce the cost of roll-out;
	facilitating satellite broadband deployment, with a fast-track, on-line licensing regime and a review of planning regulations for satellite terminals;
	using more effective procurement of the public sector's broadband requirements to drive broadband into rural areas and also to improve value for money. The Government are tasking the Office for Government Commerce to investigate what further steps Government Departments can take to procure broadband more effectively and to act as a source of guidance.

Broadband

Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what target she has set for the roll-out of broadband services across the rural community; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: In February 2002 the Government published "UK Online: the Broadband Future" which set the target for the UK to have the most extensive and competitive broadband market in the G7 by 2005. The Government have put in place a £30 million fund to allow regional development agencies and devolved Administrations to develop schemes for extending broadband into areas that appear commercially unattractive. Along with the Minister for Trade, I have discussed implementation with the regional development agencies in England and they are focusing on how best to target the needs of their region.

CAP

Jackie Lawrence: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much the average UK family of four contributed to the CAP in the last year for which estimates are available.

Elliot Morley: Individuals in the UK contribute to the CAP as consumers through higher food prices and as taxpayers through CAP direct support payments.
	We estimate that, in 2000, a notional UK family of four paid £4-£5 per week in higher food prices as a result of the CAP. UK taxpayers do not contribute specifically to the CAP; rather, they contribute to the EU budget as a whole. Total EU payments in 2000 were approximately £51 billion (83 billion euros), of which around £25 billion (40.5 billion euros) was spent under the CAP. The UK currently provides around 13.5 per cent. of total budgetary contributions.

Nitrates

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will place in the Library a detailed account of the eutrophication methodology that she proposes to use to implement the EC nitrates directive.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 13 June 2002
	The methodology used to identify eutrophic nitrate vulnerable zones is summarised in annex A of the consultation paper "How should England implement the 1991 Nitrates Directive?", published in December 2001, and set out in more detail in annex B of the consultation paper "Methodology for identifying sensitive areas (Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive) and Methodology for designating vulnerable zones (Nitrates Directive) in England and Wales", published by the then Department of the Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and Welsh Office, in March 1993. Both publications should be available in the Library.

CERRIE

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 16 May, Official Report, column 829W, on CERRIE, what the job titles are of the CERRIE Secretariat; and when the CERRIE website will become active.

Michael Meacher: The CERRIE Secretariat do not have formal job titles beyond being members of the secretariat. The CERRIE website became active on 31 May 2002.

Protected Areas

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what evaluation the Government have made of the success of the Natura 2000 network of protected areas in the European Union; and what role the Government are playing in plans to extend these areas to new member states upon enlargement.

Michael Meacher: The EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EC) requires each member state to identify and select special areas of conservation that, together with special protection areas under the Birds Directive, will form a coherent European ecological network to be known as Natura 2000. However, the adoption of site lists across the whole EU has been delayed, with lists comprising the six biogeographic regions not expected to be finalised until next year. Following the adoption of the lists of sites it will be for the European Commission and member states collectively to ensure that the network is evaluated against its stated aim of maintaining or restoring the features concerned at a favourable conservation in their natural range.
	Member states are required to produce 6-yearly reports on the implementation of the Directive. Most member states have now done so for the period June 1994–December 2000. As soon as all countries have done so the Commission will seek to evaluate member states' successes. The UK's report "First Report by the United Kingdom under Article 17 on implementation of the Directive from June 1994 to December 2000" is in the House Library.
	To join the European Union countries have to have a requirement to implement the environmental acquis, which includes implementation and enforcement of environment legislation on the Birds and Habitats Directives. No transitional periods have been agreed for these Directives and the UK has supported new member states proposing Natura 2000 sites upon entry. Scientific advice and support has been provided by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee to some enlargement countries to assist them to understand and apply the site selection requirements of the Habitats Directive.

Rural Population

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of the population lives in rural areas broken down by (a) parliamentary constituency and (b) district and unitary councils.

Alun Michael: Information on the percentage of the population living in rural wards in each (a) parliamentary constituency and (b) district and unitary councils in England is contained in the attached tables. A copy will be placed in the House of Commons Library.

Performance Targets

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the performance targets that her Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are required to meet, apart from those set out in the public service agreements for 1999 to 2002 and 2001 to 2004; and if she will specify for each target (a) who sets it and (b) who monitors achievement against it.

Elliot Morley: Since the creation of DFERA in June 2001, the new department has focused, through the SR2002 process, on developing a set of performance targets which properly reflects its new role and responsibilities.
	The performance targets for DEFRA, other than those set out in its interim PSA, are drawn from both the former MAFF Service Delivery Agreement and parts of the former DETR Service Delivery Agreement. These targets were agreed between each department and the Treasury.
	Progress against these targets is monitored by the Finance, Planning and Resources Directorate of DEFRA. Details of the SDAs can be found at:
	"www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/busplan/sda/sdahome.htm"
	The DEFRA Departmental Report (Cmd 5422) provides details of how to access information about its Executive Agencies and Non Departmental Public Bodies including information on business plans and performance targets.

Ragwort

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to make the irresponsible spread of ragwort a prosecutable offence; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: Using powers contained in the Weeds Act 1959, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs can take statutory action to control the spread of five injurious weeds, including common ragwort.
	Under the Act, the Secretary of State can serve an enforcement notice on an occupier of land on which any of the five injurious weeds are growing requiring the occupier to take action to prevent the weeds from spreading. The Act also permits officials to enter land to inspect whether an enforcement notice has been complied with. If an occupier has unreasonably failed to comply with the notice, he or she shall be guilty of an offence and, on conviction, is liable to a fine. The Act also contains additional powers, which enable the Secretary of State to take action to arrange for the weeds to be cleared and recover the cost of doing so from the occupier, if necessary through the courts. If the occupier of the land cannot be traced and he or she is not the owner of the land, the costs may be recovered from the owner, or failing that, a charge in respect of the costs may be placed on the land by order of the courts.
	In practice, it is rarely necessary to invoke the formal powers of the Weeds Act. DEFRA investigates each complaint about injurious weeds on its merits, but gives priority to complaints where there is a threat to farmland, farming activities and on farm diversified equine activities. Once DEFRA officials have made the occupier of land aware of the presence of injurious weeds, the matter can usually be resolved satisfactorily through co-operation and advice, without taking statutory action.

Agricultural Tenancies

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to bring forward legislation to amend the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995.

Elliot Morley: We are currently considering the recommendations made in the report prepared for DEFRA by Plymouth university evaluating the operation of the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995. We are also considering the recommendations on tenancy issues made by the Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food. As part of this process we are currently consulting stakeholders.
	We will make our initial thoughts on both reports known when we respond to the Policy Commission report in the autumn. If we conclude that legislative changes might be appropriate, we will consult further on the detail of those changes before bringing legislation forward.

Young People

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what subjects and on which dates her Department has consulted organisations representing young people; and if she will list such organisations.

Elliot Morley: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The Department is committed to the new core principles for the involvement of children and young people published by the Minister for Young People in November 2001. On 12 June, the Department published an action plan setting out how it will implement these principles and give children and young people a real say in the DEFRA policies and services that affect them.

Endangered Species

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  if she will make a statement on the timetable for the proposed review of the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1997;
	(2)  when she plans to (a) begin and (b) complete the review of the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1997; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  if she will start the review of the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1997 before the summer.

Michael Meacher: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) on 23 May 2002, Official Report, column 501W.
	The first stage of the review—discussions within Government—is under way, and should be completed by the end of June. Pre-consultations, to gather views from interested parties on the Government's initial proposals and the scope of the review, will then take place over the summer.
	How quickly the full formal public consultation exercise can begin will depend on what arises from the pre-consultation process, and whether it necessitates further discussion within Government and with other parties. It should begin before the end of the year and will last for three months.
	Proposals for any changes to the existing regulations as a result of the review will then be drawn up.

Endangered Species

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which organisations she plans to consult (a) prior to and (b) during the review of the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Regulations) 1997; and at what stage in the process she plans to consult them.

Michael Meacher: Pre-consultations will take place over the summer with: interested Government Departments (including HM Customs and Excise and the territorial administrations); the Association of Chief Police Officers (and its Scotland and Northern Ireland counterparts); the Government's scientific advisers on conservation matters; the Sustained Users' Network; Wildlife Link (including WWF-UK); and the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime.
	We will make every effort to ensure that everyone who is affected by or who has an interest in the review is included in the formal public consultation process later this year.

Endangered Species

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received concerning the review of the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1997.

Michael Meacher: I have so far received over 150 letters from right hon. and hon. Members, and a handful of letters direct from members of the public. WWF-UK officers have also been in regular contact with me and with my officials.

Departmental Staff (Scotland)

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many and what percentage of (a) civil service, (b) executive agencies and (c) non-departmental public body jobs under the remit of her Department are located in Scotland; and how many of each have been relocated to Scotland since May 1997.

Elliot Morley: The number of jobs under the remit of DEFRA that are located in Scotland is as follows:
	
		
			  Number of jobs Percentage 
		
		
			 (a) Core DEFRA 93 1.29 
			 (b) Executive agencies 52 0.92 
			 (c) NDPBs 147.5 1.03 
		
	
	Six NDPB jobs have been relocated to Scotland since May 1997.

Whales

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the members of her Department's consultative forum on whaling.

Elliot Morley: The current members of the Consultative Forum on Whaling are as follows:
	Campaign Whale
	Earthkind
	Environmental Investigation Agency
	Greenpeace
	International Fund for Animal Welfare
	The Mammal Society
	Marine Conservation Society
	RSPCA
	Seawatch Foundation
	Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society
	Wildlife and Countryside Link
	The Wildlife Trusts
	WWF International
	WWF-UK
	Young People's Trust for the Environment.

Departmental Communications

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 30 April, Official Report, column 662W, on departmental communications, what the cost was of (a) preparing; (b) printing and (c) processing the consultation papers, information documents and forms.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 10 May 2002
	The aggregated costs of preparation, printing, and processing are as follows. Obtaining figures of expenditure separated according to the categories set out in this question could be achieved only at disproportionate cost.
	(a) 38 consultation papers were issued at a cost of £126,223.00.
	(b) 418 items categorised as circulars/information literature documents were produced at a cost of £852,649.00.
	(c) 225 forms targeted at farmers and ancillary organisations at a cost of £202,965.00.
	The mailing costs associated with delivering these documents was £831,049.00.

Agricultural Shows

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will exempt agricultural shows from the 20-day standstill period for animal movements.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 7 May 2002
	The rules applicable to the movement of livestock to and from agricultural shows will be kept under review to ensure that they are proportionate to the disease risks involved. For the time being veterinary advice is that it remains appropriate for stock moving to a show either to respect any standstill on the premises of departure, and to impose a 20-day standstill on their return, or for the show animal(s) to be isolated for 20 days on their home premises before departure and after their return.
	The 20-day standstill is at the centre of the interim livestock movement restrictions currently in force to guard against a future outbreak. Scientific and veterinary advice is that it aids detection of disease and slows disease spread. A number of exemptions from the standstill have been introduced, on veterinary advice, in order to help livestock farmers without causing an unacceptable increase in disease risk. These interim arrangements are currently under review, but whatever changes may be made to the interim rules this summer, the Government intend to take full account of any relevant findings from the FMD inquiries before it reaches a final view on the role that a 20-day standstill might play in the long-term controls over livestock movements.

Recycling

Bill Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what incentives she gives to local authorities to encourage the development and introduction of recycling facilities.

Michael Meacher: Statutory performance standards for recycling and composting have been set to drive up performance by local authorities as part of the Government's waste strategy. The Government are committed to the achievement of these targets and will intervene if necessary to ensure they are delivered.
	Local public service agreements provide opportunities for authorities to commit themselves to exceeding the statutory recycling targets and to be rewarded with additional resources for doing so.
	Spending Review 2000 increased both the general revenue support to local authorities on waste management services and specific, ring-fenced, funding. A new £140 million fund has been created for local authority waste minimisation and recycling projects. The fund covers two years, and bids for the first year of funding were invited by 30 April 2002. They are currently being assessed by DEFRA policy officials and an expert panel consisting of various waste, local authority and community sector experts.

Recycling

Bill Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what Government procedures are in place to monitor the (a) levels and (b) types of recycling being undertaken by local authorities in relation to normal daily disposal of refuse from households.

Michael Meacher: Under the Best Value Performance Indicators, local authorities in England make annual returns on the percentage of the total tonnage of household waste arisings which have been sent for recycling (BV82a) or composting (BV82b). In addition, my Department's annual Municipal Waste Management Survey collects information on different types of materials collected for recycling and composting. For example, the Municipal Waste Management Survey shows that recycling of household waste plastics increased to 13,000 tonnes in 1999–2000, compared to 8,000 tonnes for the previous year.

Committee Mandates

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Advisory Committee on the Control and Reduction of Pollution Caused by the Discharge of Hydrocarbons and other Dangerous Substances at Sea is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement.

John Spellar: I have been asked to reply.
	The Advisory Committee on the Control and Reduction of Pollution Caused by the Discharge of Hydrocarbons and other Dangerous Substances at Sea (known as ACPH) was established in 1980 under Decision Number 80/686/EEC of 25/6/1980 of the European Parliament and the Council. The committee was composed of representatives of member states and was chaired by the European Commission. The terms of reference of the committee were as follows:
	1. To advise the Commission, at the request of the latter or on its own initiative, on all problems concerning the implementation of Community measures for the control and reduction of pollution caused by hydrocarbons discharged at sea; and,
	2. To allow the collection of existing information and experience gained in the member states, on ways of controlling and reducing pollution caused by hydrocarbons discharged at sea, thus facilitating the co-ordination of measures taken or planned at national, international or Community level.
	This was amended by Decision Number 85/208/EEC, which expanded the focus of the committee from "hydrocarbons discharged at sea" to "oil and other harmful substances discharged at sea".
	This advisory committee provided valuable advice on Commission proposals and its members—who were high- level government experts—acted as the interface between the services of the Commission and the corresponding national administrations. In December 2000 the Commission decided to develop a new committee to address marine pollution issues under new European rules and regulations. Therefore, the Management Committee on Marine Pollution was established under Decision Number 2850/2000/EC of 20/12/2000 of the European Parliament and the Council. This set up a Community framework for co-operation in the field of accidental or deliberate marine pollution. A similar question on the role and cost of this group was answered in column 188W, question number 56809 of the 21 May edition of Hansard.
	Together with member states, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to "simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission". As an obligation to this Decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February (Com (2001) 783 Final). As part of the review process, the UK Government has encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

Parliamentary Questions

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of ordinary written questions for her Department were answered within a week of tabling in each month since June 2001; and what proportion of questions for named day received a substantive answer on that day in each month since June 2001.

Elliot Morley: The information requested is in the table.
	
		Percentage 
		
			   Named days—PQs answered on time Written questions—PQs answered within 5 days 
		
		
			 2001   
			 June 2 42 
			 July 8 22 
			 August n/a n/a 
			 September n/a n/a 
			 October 19 56 
			 November 20 60 
			 December 24 32 
			
			 2002   
			 January 20 58 
			 February 20 53 
			 March 16 60 
			 April 7 53 
			 May 9 32

Foot and Mouth

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which ministers and officials have (a) been invited to give evidence and (b) given evidence to the Lessons Learned inquiry; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 13 June 2002
	This is a matter for the Lessons Learned inquiry. As indicated on its website, the inquiry has held a series of meetings with key Ministers, senior officials and organisations involved in the handling of the foot and mouth disease outbreak in 2001.

Foot and Mouth

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many animals, by type, were slaughtered during the foot and mouth outbreak on the 13 infected premises in Wigtownshire which returned negative blood tests.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 15 May 2002
	The following animals were slaughtered on the 13 infected premises in Wigtownshire:
	3,539 cattle
	3,572 sheep
	55 pigs.

Foot and Mouth

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) cattle, (b) sheep, (c) pigs and (d) other animals were slaughtered during the foot and mouth outbreak on the basis of (i) contiguous premises, (ii) three kilometre premises, (iii) slaughter on suspicion and (iv) other reasons as a result of the two infected premises which returned positive blood tests in Wigtownshire; and how many animals of each type were slaughtered on the infected premises themselves.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 15 May 2002
	The table sets out the animals it was necessary to slaughter for disease control purposes as a result of the two infected premises in Wigtownshire.
	
		
			  Cattle Sheep Pigs 
		
		
			 Contiguous premises 3,485 2,424 — 
			 3k cull 952 8,801 2 
			 Dangerous contacts 2,049 1,462 — 
		
	
	299 cattle, 803 sheep and 27 pigs were slaughtered on the infected premises themselves.

Foot and Mouth

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what additional steps she is taking to prevent the importation of foot and mouth virus during the World cup finals in South Korea;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the risk posed to UK livestock by the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in South Korea.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 16 May 2002
	In recent weeks, we issued advice to travellers, via the Football Association website and the British Consulate in Seoul, not to visit farms and to either keep to the current personal import allowance of 1kg of meat cooked in a hermetically sealed container or, preferably, not to bring any meat at all to the UK. In addition we sent letters to 5,000 World cup ticket holders reiterating this information. We have also advised our port and airport enforcement authorities of the outbreak of foot and mouth in South Korea.
	South Korea is not a country that is authorised to export meat/animals to the EU. Veterinary advice is that the risk of travellers bringing foot and mouth disease back from South Korea is not significant. Most games are taking place in Japan, which does not have foot and mouth disease. As part of the Government's Action Plan, we will continue to gather intelligence to support the risk assessment currently under way, this will inform decisions about the nature of the risks and actions to be taken to reduce the risk of exotic diseases entering the country.

Rural Payments Agency

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what additional staff resources she has allocated to the Rural Payments Agency this year to handle payments under the beef support schemes.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 13 June 2002
	Rural Payments Agency staff at offices across the country are giving priority to the processing of bovine subsidy claims for payment. Additional staff have been recruited and existing staff are working extra hours and at weekends in order to process claims for payments and to resolve queries as quickly as possible.
	In addition, the RPA currently has a large team of short-term staff based at the offices of the British Cattle Movement Service checking queries against the cattle tracing system database.
	The total cost of undertaking the additional checks required to make payments will be in the region of £3.8 million, this includes provision for staff working overtime.

Rural Payments Agency

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when Ministers were first informed that the Rural Payments Agency would be unable to complete payments for the 2001 beef support schemes by 30 June.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 13 June 2002
	My noble Friend the Under-Secretary was advised on 15 May 2002 of the Rural Payments Agency's inability to complete all payments under the 2001 bovine subsidy schemes by 30 June 2002.

Rural Payments Agency

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many beef producers she expects not to have received all due beef support payments by 30 June.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 13 June 2002
	At this stage it is predicted that approximately 38 per cent. of Beef Special Premium (BSPS), 88 per cent. of Suckler Cow Premium (SCPS), 63 per cent. of Extensification Premium (EPS) and 30 per cent. of Slaughter Premium (SPS) claimants may not have been paid in full until after the 30 June deadline. However, producers claiming BSPS, SCPS and the Slaughter Premium Schemes should have already received their advance payments equating to 80 per cent. of the premium due.

Rural Payments Agency

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the total value of beef support payments due to producers for 2001 which will not have been paid by 30 June.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 13 June 2002
	The current estimate provided by the RPA is that approximately £47 million will remain outstanding at 30 June. This represents 16 per cent. of the total projected bovine scheme payments due to have been completed by that date. This figure includes the unpaid extensification element.

Rural Payments Agency

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Rural Payments Agency began to cross-check beef support scheme applications against the UK Cattle Tracing System.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 13 June 2002
	The Rural Payments Agency did not come into existence until 16 October 2001. However, before that date, cross-checks had already begun to be undertaken by the Department.
	Beef Special Premium Scheme claims were checked against previous animal documentation before the BCMS Cattle Tracing System (CTS) was set up. After the database became operative, these basic identification checks were run against CTS data. On the other hand, checks on the identity of the older female animals which form the basis of Suckler Cow Premium claims were not undertaken against the database until last summer.
	More extensive checks on the location of animals during periods of retention required by EU legislation have been introduced more recently and are causing particular difficulty.

Rural Payments Agency

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the cost of overtime payments in the current year to staff at the Rural Payments Agency who are working on payment under the beef compensation schemes.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 13 June 2002
	No differentiation was made in arriving at the projected costs between the use of overtime or of additional temporary staff. Each RPA site is utilising additional staff and overtime on the most suitable basis, taking into account local conditions, particularly the availability of accommodation to house additional staff, and the capacity of permanent staff to work overtime.

Rural Payments Agency

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) permanent and (b) temporary staff are employed by the Rural Payments Agency to process payments due to beef producers in respect of the 2001 beef support schemes.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 13 June 2002
	Details of staff numbers currently involved in some form with the processing of bovine subsidy claims for payment are as follows:
	
		
			 Scheme Permanent staff Temporary staff 
		
		
			 Beef special premium/slaughter 332 152 
			 Premium schemes 177 35 
			 Suckler cow premium scheme 29 2 
			 Extensification payment scheme 0 65 
			  
			 Total 538 254

Sustainable Development Strategy

Nick Palmer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she intends to publish the forthcoming DEFRA Sustainable Development Strategy; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: I have today published DEFRA's Sustainable Development Strategy—'Foundations for our Future'.
	'Foundations for our Future' clarifies what sustainable development means in practice for DEFRA's policy development and decision making, as well as its own operations. In particular the strategy:
	sets out the principles and processes which DEFRA needs to adopt to ensure all its policies address economic, social and environmental objectives at the same time;
	identifies DEFRA policy areas which pose the greatest challenges or can make the greatest contribution to the achievement of sustainable development, with a set of indicators to measure progress in these areas; and
	looks at the scope to contribute to sustainable development through DEFRA's own impacts (including energy, waste, travel, staff policies and procurement).
	The strategy also commits my Department to review annually the progress that we make against the principles, commitments and priorities that are included within the strategy. This review process will be open and participative, involving DEFRA's staff and stakeholders.
	I have placed copies of the strategy in the Library of the House. It is also available at: http://defraweb/ environment/sustainable/index.htm.

HEALTH

Arthritis

Harold Best: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce a national system for monitoring arthritis.

Jacqui Smith: There are currently no plans to introduce a national system for monitoring arthritis. However, the importance of good arthritis services, particularly for the health and well being of older people is recognised in the National Service Framework for Older People. Arthritis is set as the next priority for development within the ten-year framework.

Emergency Acute Facilities

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the provision of emergency acute facilities in remote rural areas.

John Hutton: It is the responsibility of primary care trusts to commission accessible high quality services that can meet the needs of people living in rural areas.
	Any substantial changes in the pattern of such services must be the subject of full public consultation, and in relation to any contested proposals, my right hon. Friend will make final decisions only after a full assessment of the case for change.

Smoking

Michael Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of smoking cessation policies in Worcestershire.

Hazel Blears: Smoking cessation services in the west midlands are assessed quarterly by the Regional Director of Public Health. The Smoking Advice Service in Worcestershire has rapidly developed across primary and secondary care, and in community settings since January 2001, and is now demonstrating good performance, with quit rates higher than regional and national averages.

Mental Health

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review procedures under the Mental Health Act 1983 which delay the provision of suitable treatment.

Jacqui Smith: The modernisation of mental health services through the National Service Framework, the NHS Plan investment of £300 million by 2004, and reform of legislation proposed in the White Paper "Reforming the Mental Health Act 1983" will provide effective and safe services more easily and quickly.

Mental Health

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is given to mental health and social care trusts regarding the provision of specialist mental health services for black and ethnic minority users.

Jacqui Smith: The Department has issued guidance on specialist mental health services including:
	The National Service Framework for Mental Health;
	The Mental Health Policy Implementation Guide.
	All departmental guidance stresses that services must be able to meet the needs of black and ethnic minority service users.

Mental Health

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what he is doing to remove the stigma surrounding mental health in relation to the delivery of services.

Jacqui Smith: The 'Mind out for mental health' campaign is a sustained programme of activity with partners in the voluntary sector, the media and business working together to change attitudes and behaviour surrounding mental health. In 2002–03, we shall be widening the focus of the employers' strand of the campaign to address the stigma experienced by people with mental health problems in the national health service. The Department also supports the Royal College of Psychiatrists' 'Changing Minds' campaign to combat stigmatisation of people with mental health problems by, among others, healthcare professionals, specifically doctors.

Cancer

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on waiting times for cancer treatment.

Hazel Blears: The NHS Cancer Plan sets out our strategy to reduce cancer waiting times with the ultimate goal being that no one should wait longer that one month from urgent referral for suspected cancer to the start of treatment, except for a good clinical reason or through the patient's personal choice.

Cancer

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what allocation the health authorities have received from the money earmarked for palliative care under the Cancer Plan in 2001–02.

Hazel Blears: The Government have pledged in the NHS Cancer Plan that funding for specialist palliative care services, including hospices, will increase by £50 million per annum by 2004. This investment is included in the overall national health service investment for implementing the Cancer Plan. We are currently reviewing the outturn position for 2001–02 and the progress in that year.

Health Inequalities

Dari Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department is doing to reduce health inequalities between different social groups, with special reference to the incidence of cancer.

Hazel Blears: We have put in place major cross-Government programmes of work to address the risk factors for cancer and tackle health inequalities. The Cancer Plan made a commitment to reduce the prevalence of smoking among manual groups to 26 per cent. by 2010. We are taking this forward with a comprehensive programme to tackle smoking, including NHS smoking cessation services and a public information campaign. We are also running a Five-a-Day Programme to increase access to, and consumption of fruit and vegetables. The New Opportunities Fund is providing funding to set up 66 five-a-day community programmes led by primary care trusts based in deprived areas. We have also recently announced a new £2.5 million programme of community physical activity pilots that will be set up in Neighbourhood Renewal areas. This work underpins the two national health inequalities targets in the areas of life expectancy and infant mortality, announced by the Secretary of State last year.

NHS Patients (Overseas Treatment)

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS patients have been treated in France in the last 12 months.

John Hutton: 109 patients were treated in France earlier this year under the pilot scheme to refer national health service patients overseas for routine elective surgery.

Schizophrenia

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects NICE to publish its guidance on the use of atypical anti-psychotics for people with schizophrenia; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued guidance on newer atypical anti-psychotics on 6 June 2002. In addition the Department of Health has commissioned NICE to develop a clinical guideline on the management of schizophrenia, to cover treatment by drugs, including atypical anti- psychotics, and psychological therapies. This work is currently in train.
	Directions have been issued obliging health authorities and primary care trusts to provide appropriate funding for recommended treatments. From 1 January 2002, the NHS has three months from the date of publication of each Technology Appraisal Guidance to provide funding, so that clinical decisions made by doctors involving NICE recommended treatments or drugs can be funded.

Schizophrenia

Matthew Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  when he expects NICE to publish its guidance on the use of atypical anti-psychotics for people with schizophrenia; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what plans he has to remove postcode prescribing in relation to atypical anti-psychotics for people with schizophrenia; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued guidance on newer atypical anti-psychotics on 6 June 2002.
	Directions have been issued obliging health authorities and primary care trusts to provide appropriate funding for recommended treatments. From 1 January 2002, the national health service has three months from the date of publication of each technology appraisal guidance to provide funding, so that clinical decisions made by doctors involving NICE recommended treatments or drugs can be funded.

Bed Blocking (Oxfordshire)

David Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many blocked beds there are in Oxfordshire; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The Government recognise that delayed discharges are a problem across the south-east. Health and local authorities are working together to take action to improve the situation. In October 2001 the Government announced an extra £300 million in the "Cash for Change" initiative to tackle bed blocking in 2001–02 and 2002–03. Last year Oxfordshire received £706,000, this year £1.489 million.
	All information, collected centrally, on delayed discharge has been placed in the Library. Information for quarter 4 of 2001–02 shows that Oxfordshire had 52 delayed discharges. This is the most recent period for which figures are currently available.

Health Policy (Schoolchildren)

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last had discussions with the Secretary of State for Education and Skills about the health of schoolchildren.

Hazel Blears: My hon. Friend the then Under-Secretary of State for Public Health met the Secretary of State for Education and Skills in February this year to talk about inequalities and during this meeting the health of school age children was discussed. The two Departments work very closely to ensure that the health needs of school age children are met and work on a number of initiatives together, including the National Service Framework for Children, the healthy schools programme, national school fruit scheme, Special Educational Needs Code of Practice and Sure Start.

Air-related Thromboembolic Disease

John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the World Health Organisation's research into air-related thromboembolic disease.

Hazel Blears: The Department of Health, together with the Department for Transport, fully supports the aims of the World Health Organisation's research into air travel and venous thromboembolism, and has agreed to provide up to £1.2 million in funding for this work. The two year project will start in June 2002.

Day Surgery

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to expand the number of day surgery units in hospitals.

John Hutton: The Government are investing in the biggest building programme in the history of the national health service, including the new day surgery unit at Bassetlaw district general hospital.
	We are also building a new model of diagnostic and treatment centres, which will make a significant contribution to increasing capacity for day surgery. In addition, we are working towards maximising the capacity in existing day surgery units, and I have asked Professor Ara Darzi to develop a strategy to help units to improve their throughput.

Residential Home Beds

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many beds for elderly people in residential homes have been lost between May 1997 and the latest available date.

Jacqui Smith: Between 31 March 1997 and 31 March 2001, the number of residential care beds in homes for older people decreased by 1,550 from 261,620 to 260,070, a drop of under 1 per cent.

Chiropody Services

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the provision of chiropody services in the national health service.

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the provision of chiropody services on the NHS.

Jacqui Smith: No specific assessment has been made. There are national variations in chiropody services. This may be because local national health service organisations clinically prioritise access to their services to ensure they meet the needs of their most at risk patients. The clinical criteria used to prioritise will be determined locally by primary care trusts.

Retained Human Organs

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which hospitals have retained human organs without permission from the relatives of the deceased since 1997; and how many are continuing this practice.

David Lammy: These data are not collected centrally. General information about organ retention in NHS trusts is available in the Chief Medical Officer's census report 1 .
	The Chief Medical Officer issued interim guidance in March 2000 requiring NHS trusts to obtain consent from spouses or other relatives to any organ retention from post-mortem examination. This is to ensure that the requirements of the Human Tissue Act 1961 are met effectively.
	We have recently consulted on a comprehensive, new code of practice on families and post mortems and on a range of post mortem consent forms. We shall shortly be seeking views on whether changes to the current law are necessary.
	1 Retention of Organs at Post Mortem: Census of hospitals in England report available at: www.doh.gov.uk/organcensus

Age Discrimination

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to tackle age discrimination in the health service.

Jacqui Smith: The National Service Framework for Older People, published in March 2001, sets the elimination of age discrimination in accessing national health service or social care as a priority. To help achieve this, it provides a programme of actions and milestones to be achieved over the next 10 years.

Racial Equality

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in the promotion of racial equality in the NHS.

John Hutton: Activity to promote race equality in the national health service is occurring on a number of fronts, including implementation of the NHS Plan, National Service Frameworks and within the NHS work force. On 31 May 2002 the Department published its Race Equality Scheme setting out a programme of action on promoting race equality.

Operation Waiting Times (South-West)

David Heath: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients in the south-west had been waiting over 15 months for an NHS hospital operation in April.

Hazel Blears: Data for March 2002 reported that there were two patients in the former south-west region waiting over 15 months for treatment. However, a waiting list review at the Royal United Hospital Bath National Health Service Trust has concluded that waiting list information reported by the trust in the year 200102 was inaccurate. Further examination of these waiting lists, published on 7 June, shows that 223 patients in March and 235 patients in April had been waiting for more than 15 months for in-patient treatment.
	By the end of June, all patients will be offered a date for operation.

Cancer Research

John MacDougall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria the Government use when allocating resourcing to cancer research.

Hazel Blears: Total Government expenditure on research in any given year is not normally allocated in advance to specific diseases. Decisions depend on many variables including the quality of proposals received. By 200304, the Government will be spending an additional 20 million a year on the new national health service infrastructure for cancer research. This will mean that more cancer patients will have access to new and experimental treatments. In April 2002, the Government set up the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) in partnership with charities and industry. The NCRI is providing strategic oversight of cancer research across the whole of the United Kingdom.

Teaching Primary Care Trusts

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the work of teaching primary care trusts.

John Hutton: An essential aim of teaching primary care trusts (PCTs) is to develop posts that are both clinical and rooted in teaching, research and/or development. The objective is to provide additional patient care through the recruitment of extra clinicians in areas of need, complemented with the development of learning, sharing of knowledge and collaboration in research.
	Teaching PCTs will provide a resource for all PCTs to develop as learning organisations, in promoting a research and evidence-based approach and in supporting work force planning and development.
	11 teaching PCTs have been established, and a further 17 to 20 will be established by April 2003.

Dorset and Somerset Health Authorities

Robert Walter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are employed (a) by the Dorset and Somerset health authority and (b) in administrative posts in the primary care trusts in both counties.

Hazel Blears: The information is not collected centrally.

Hospital Modernisation (Trent Region)

Phil Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what capital funding is available for upgrading and modernising hospitals in the Trent region in the current financial year.

David Lammy: The area covered by the former Trent region has been allocated 191 million capital in 200203. Details of earmarked allocations are given in the table.
	
		Funds available in 200203
		
			 Trent region  million 
		
		
			 Initial capital planning total 139 
			   
			 Earmarked allocations  
			 Local capital modernisation fund (LCMF) 9 
			 Coronary heart disease (CHD) 27 
			 Intermediate care 2 
			 Maternity units 8 
			 Nightingale ward replacements 5 
			 Nurseries 1 
			  
			 Total allocated (to date) for 200203 191

Suicide

Julia Drown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action the Government are taking to reduce the suicide rate.

Jacqui Smith: We published the National Suicide Prevention Strategy for England for public consultation on 26 April 2002. It is a comprehensive, evidence-based strategy to prevent suicide. The strategy describes key actions already taken, and proposes further actions to be taken, to help meet the target set out in the White Paper Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation. A copy of the consultation document has been placed in the Library.

Braille

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how long the time it takes to transfer a book to Braille will be reduced under the proposed Copyright (Visually Impaired Persons) Bill.

Melanie Johnson: I have been asked to reply
	The Copyright (Visually Impaired Persons) Bill will remove the need to obtain copyright clearance for each book that is to be converted to Braille for visually impaired people by an educational establishment or not- for-profit body, except where the book is already commercially available in Braille. Obtaining this copyright clearance quite frequently takes six months or longer.

Cardiac Care

Alan Hurst: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many heart bypass operations were carried out in NHS hospitals in each year since 1995.

Hazel Blears: The number of heart bypass operations carried out in the national health service in England, each year since 1995, are as follows:
	
		Coronary artery bypass grafting
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 199596 21,599 
			 199697 22,700 
			 199798 22,129 
			 199899 23,996 
			 19992000 23,698 
			 200001 24,387

Cardiac Care

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has taken to raise awareness among general practitioners and coroners of cardiac risk in the young.

Hazel Blears: We have put in place major cross- Government programmes of work to prevent coronary heart disease by ensuring that children have access to a healthy diet, have opportunities to be physically active and are aware of the dangers of smoking. This includes investment from the new opportunities fund for a physical education and sports programme, a national school fruit scheme and a new initiative called Smokescreen to reduce smoking among teenagers. The Department is also developing a document on the health benefits of exercise which will aim to influence policy making and raise awareness about the importance of physical activity among primary care and local authorities.
	In due course the children's national service framework (NSF) will produce national standards across the national health service and social services for children. However, its scope has yet to be finalised and it is too early in the development of the NSF to advise what guidance may be made available to general practitioners.
	In addition, the paediatric and congenital cardiac services review group has been established to consider the recommendations from the Kennedy report that specifically relate to health care services and treatment for children with congenital heart disease. The group has also been asked to recommend quality standards for paediatric and congenital cardiac services. The review group will report in 2002.

Hospital Discharges

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 21 May 2002, Official Report, column 305W, on hospital discharges, when his Department expects to complete its consultations on the penalty system for social services departments;
	(2)  pursuant to the answer of 21 May 2002, Official Report, column 305W, on hospital discharges, what (a) representations he has received and (b) estimates he has made about the early discharge of patients from hospital.

Jacqui Smith: The proposals for a system of financial incentives to tackle delayed discharge are still being developed. We shall consult fully on the details of the scheme.

Stroke

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the Government have invested in stroke treatment since 1997; and what plans he has to increase this.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 12 June 2002
	The specific information requested is not collected centrally. However, as a result of the Budget, the national health service in England will receive an annual average real terms growth in resources of 7.4 per cent. for the five years from 200304 to 200708. Decisions about allocation of this increased funding will be announced later this year.

Stroke

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are contained in the NHS Plan to help the Afro-Caribbean community to combat their higher rate of stroke.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 12 June 2002
	The NHS Plan sets out a comprehensive programme of action to tackle the risk factors for chronic diseases, including stroke, and tackle health inequalities. This includes a five-a-day programme to increase access to, and consumption of fruit and vegetables, work with industry to improve the overall balance of diet, including salt, sugar and fat in food, and world leading smoking cessation services. Local strategies on promoting healthy eating and physical activity, reducing smoking, and reducing overweight and obesity are already being developed as part of the national service framework for coronary heart disease. The national service framework for older people makes clear that these activities should take into account both differences in lifestyle and the impact of cultural beliefs.

Departmental Expenditure Limit

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much and what proportion of the departmental expenditure limit for 200203 will be accounted for by staff costs; what the figures were for 200102; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: The final accounts for national health service trusts, health authorities, primary care trusts and primary care groups have yet to be collected for 200102, but the current estimate of the hospital and community health services pay bill in 200102 is 22.7 billion (46 per cent. of the overall NHS planned net expenditure).
	The overall cost of the 200203 pay award is 4 per cent., but it is not yet possible to estimate the full cost of staff costs as a proportion of overall expenditure because the costs of pay drift, increase in staff numbers and other additional costs are not yet available.

Complaint Procedures

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what formal procedures are available for patients who wish to record a complaint about the quality of care and treatment they have received in hospital.

David Lammy: Patients, or someone on their behalf with their consent, can complain about the service or treatment they have received from the NHS using the NHS complaints procedure. The health service ombudsman can investigate complaints where the NHS complaints procedure has not successfully resolved the complainants concerns.

Heart Surgery Centre (Wolverhampton)

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date he expects the Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust heart surgery centre to open.

David Lammy: The Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust heart surgery centre is planned to open in May 2004. The project plan is on target and building works have commenced.

Patient Confidentiality

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions Ministers in his Department have had with representatives of the (a) Medical Protection Society, (b) Patient Information Advisory Group, (c) Medical Defence Union and (d) GPC regarding patient confidentiality in the last two months.

David Lammy: My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary met Professor Joan Higgins, chair of the Patient Information Advisory Group, on 7 May 2002 to discuss patient confidentiality issues.

Criminal Records Bureau Certification

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health under what circumstances general practitioners will be obliged to complete a Criminal Records Bureau certification form; and what details will need to be provided to complete such a form.

John Hutton: Section 19 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 amended section 115 of the Police Act 1997 to permit the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) to provide enhanced criminal record certificates in respect of general practitioners who are included or seeking inclusion to a health authority medical, supplementary or services list.
	The purpose of this amendment was to ensure that the health authority in assessing the doctor's suitability to provide primary care services on their behalf had the fullest possible report from the CRB. Criminal record certificates might well help to keep an unsuitable practitioner off the health authority lists and out of primary care.
	The circumstances in which these certificates will have to be provided by general practitioners will be specified in regulations. Before such regulations are made we will consult the general practitioners' committee of the British Medical Association on the content.
	The application form that has to be completed by any member of the public applying to the CRB for a criminal record certificate is prescribed in SI 2002/233 the Police Act (Criminal Records) Regulations 2002schedule 2. A copy is available in the Library.

Nurses (Travel Expenses)

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how reimbursement for travel expenses is calculated; and what the value is of such reimbursement for each grade of staff nurse.

John Hutton: Travelling expenses for national health service staff on national terms are the subject of an agreement of the general Whitley council. Expenses are generally based on reimbursement of receipted costs incurred or, in the case of staff using their own care, by payment of mileage allowances. The current rates of mileage allowances are set out in advance letter (GC) 2/2000, a copy of which is in the Library. The value of such reimbursement does not vary by grade of nurse.

Primary Care Trusts

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of health care services in their area he expects primary care trusts will be responsible for commissioning in (a) 2002, (b) 2003, (c) 2004 and (d) 2005.

John Hutton: There are currently 303 primary care trusts (PCTs) established, with 99 per cent. of these being level four PCTs. Level four PCTs commission services, run community hospitals and provide community health services.
	Subject to legislation, PCTs will take on the responsibility for a greater range of functions including the commissioning of all acute and specialised services. By 2004, PCTs will be responsible for 75 per cent. of the total national health service resources.

Primary Care Trusts

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how deficits arising in health authorities or in strategic health authorities in 200203 will be taken into account in allocating money to PCTs;
	(2)  whether health authority deficits will be allocated to PCTs; and if he will make a statement on how such allocations will be calculated and made.

John Hutton: holding answer 26 March 2002
	Resources will continue to be allocated on the basis of the relative needs of primary care trust populations.
	Under the Government's resource accounting arrangements, all health authorities are required to contain their annual expenditure within an agreed resource limit allocation. As a consequence there should be no health authority or strategic health authority deficits.

Primary Care Trusts

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will strengthen the management of primary care trusts operating in areas of social deprivation.

John Hutton: All primary care trusts have a challenging agenda to deliver the NHS Plan. We are taking steps to ensure that they have the means to strengthen their management capacity by lifting the cap on primary care trust management costs. The Modernisation Agency has also in place a number of initiatives designed to support and strengthen the organisational development of primary care trusts as well as strengthening the management capacity through initiatives such as the national primary and care trust development programme and the chief executives development programme.
	From 1 April 2002 legislation provides for primary care trusts to have a director of public health on their boards. The focus of their activity will be on local neighbourhoods and communities, leading and driving programmes to improve health and reduce inequalities. They will also play a powerful role in forging partnerships with, and influencing, all local agencies to ensure the widest possible participation in the health and health care agenda.

Hearing Aids

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if a patient with an NHS-provided digital hearing aid is entitled to a replacement digital hearing and continued support with it if they move from living within an NHS trust that routinely provides digital hearing aids to an NHS trust that provides only analogue hearing aids.

Jacqui Smith: If the services commissioned by a trust locally do not meet the needs of a particular patient, then general practitioners (GPs) do have freedom to refer elsewhere using the out of area arrangements. If a patient requires replacement of a national health service digital hearing aid, and the local service has not received the training and equipment to fit such aids, the GP could refer the patient back to the department from which the aid was supplied or to an other which does have the necessary infrastructure to fit digital hearing aids.

Hearing Aids

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when each of the NHS trusts that have been selected to become part of the modernising hearing aid services project will start routinely issuing digital hearing aids.

Jacqui Smith: The modernising hearing aid services project is being managed on the Department's behalf by the Royal National Institute for the Deaf. The project management team has contacted each of the 30 sites which will be joining the project this calendar year and are in discussion with and in the process of visiting each service. The current service is assessed (obtaining details of the sites involved, staffing, information technology needs etc.), the new service discussed and a timetable for modernisation agreed. The first of these sites should have new systems in place and staff trained and fitting digital hearing aids by the beginning of October and all 30 should be fitting them by the end of March 2003.

Hearing Aids

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what initial investment is required of NHS trusts in order to apply for funding for the provision of digital hearing aids; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: When deciding which national health service trusts would join the modernising hearing aid services project in 200203, we wrote to all trusts not involved in the first wave of the project, inviting them to express an interest in becoming a second wave site. We asked that any such expressions of interest should be signed by the appropriate primary care trusts who would be expected to contribute 25 per cent. of additional staffing costs and 25 per cent. of any additional cost incurred in supplying digital rather than analogue aids.
	Applicants were informed that sites would be selected on the basis of preparedness, willingness to improve access for patients by providing some services from a community base, whether they were paediatric audiology departments transferring patients to existing adult sites, whether they had interest in and willingness to implement universal new-born hearing screening and bearing in mind the need to provide reasonable geographical spread of sites across the country.
	Sites must have the appropriate infrastructure, information technology equipment and trained staff, before they can fit digital hearing aids.

Hospital Safety

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set up a task group with high level participation from the Department of Health, the Fire Service and the Fire Policy Unit to consider the implications of the fire at Warrington hospital for the structure of hospital buildings, with special reference to the NHS building programme.

Jacqui Smith: Fire engineers from NHS Estates represent the Department on the national fire policy advisory group. This group comprises of members from the Chief and Assistant Chief Officers Association, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Home Office, the Institute of Building Control, the Association of County Councils and the Fire Protection Association. In addition, the Department is represented on key British standard panels relating to fire safety. I will be asking my officials to ensure the implications of the fire at Warrington general hospital are considered carefully. In addition, NHS Estates will be undertaking fire reviews of all new hospital schemes to ensure all necessary standards are met.

Antipsychotic Medicines

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what recent representations he has received regarding the prescribing of antipsychotic medicines to patients in intermediate care; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what advice his Department issues regarding the prescribing of antipsychotic medicines for elderly patients; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: No representations have been received regarding the prescribing of antipsychotic medicines to patients in intermediate care. In September 1998 we published a report on general practitioner prescribing support with the national prescribing centre. This document provides many examples of good practice including advice and support on prescribing in residential and nursing homes and involving community pharmacists.
	Implementation of the national service framework for older people will ensure effective prescribing and administration of medication for older people. To support this, consideration is being given to the inclusion of a clinical guideline on the management of dementia within the National Institute for Clinical Excellence's programme of work. Such a guideline would cover the use of antipsychotic medication in older people.

Dental Services

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many sure start programmes include initiatives that promote children's dental health.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 13 June 2002
	This information is not available centrally. However, many local sure start programmes offer advice and information to parents to promote oral and dental health in young children, and the sure start unit is working closely with the Department on the involvement of sure start programmes in the Brushing for Life scheme.

Waiting Times

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in the Mid-Essex Hospital Trust area were awaiting in-patient treatment in the last two available months; and how many were waiting (a) over 12 months and (b) over 15 months for treatment.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 18 June 2002
	There were 319 in-patients and day cases waiting over 12 months, and no patients waiting over 15 months, at the end of March 2002. At the end of April 2002 there were 269 in-patients and day cases waiting over 12 months, and no patients waiting over 15 months for admission to hospital.

Hospital Beds

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the average daily number of available (a) beds and (b) wards open overnight was in each NHS (i) trust and (ii) region in England in each of the last two years;
	(2)  what the occupancy rate was of beds in each NHS (a) region and (b) trust in England in each year since 1996;
	(3)  what the average daily number of available beds in wards open 24 hours was in (a) acute, (b) geriatric, (c) mental illness, (d) learning disabilities and (e) maternity specialties in each (i) NHS region and (ii) trust in each year since 1997.

John Hutton: Information on the average daily number of available and occupied beds for each national health service trust and NHS region from 199697 to 200001 is available from the Department's website at www.doh.gov.uk/hospitalactivity.

Medical Students

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many medical students are expected to enter medical school in each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: As a result of the Government's acceptance of the recommendation in the medical work force standing advisory committee's 1997 report and the commitment made in the NHS Plan, almost 2,150 new medical school places were announced in England between 1999 and 2001 (an increase of 57 per cent.). This is the largest increase in medical school places since the national health service was established.
	In autumn 2001, medical school intake in England was almost 950 more than in 1997, and by autumn 2003 should be over 1,950 a year more than in autumn 1997 (a 52 per cent. increase).
	The planned intake to English medical schools in the next five years is as follows:
	
		
			 Academic year Planned intake in England 
		
		
			 200203 4,993 
			 200304 5,707 
			 200405 5,789 
			 200506 5,894 
			 200607 5,894

Care Homes

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment the Government have made of the number of care homes which will be unable financially to meet the requirements of the Care Standards Act 2000, broken down by (a) constituency and (b) local authority and region;
	(2)  what assessment the Government have made of the number of care homes which fall short of the standards set in the Care Standards Act 2000, due to come into force in 200607, broken down by (a) constituency and (b) local authority and region;
	(3)  what provision the Government have made for people who will be displaced by their care home failing to meet the standards laid down in the Care Standards Act 2000, broken down by (a) constituency and (b) local authority and region;
	(4)  what assistance the Government have made available towards the additional resources required by social services departments to meet the shortfall in provision for people who will be displaced by their care homes failing to meet the standards laid down in the Care Standards Act 2000;
	(5)  what assessment the Government have made of the numbers of people who will be displaced by the Care Standards Act 2000, broken down by (a) constituency and (b) local authority and region.

Jacqui Smith: It will be for the National Care Standards Commission to decide in the particular circumstances of each individual home whether the home conforms to the standards necessary to meet the assessed needs of its residents. The standards were extensively consulted on and the Department has no evidence to suggest that large numbers of care homes will be unable to meet them. The Commission will form a more detailed picture of care homes' compliance with the national standards as it completes its first cycle of inspections of providers in England during 200203.
	Care home closures may occur for many reasons. It is for local authorities, in their role as commissioners of care, to have contingency plans in place, drawn up in consultation with service providers, to deal with care home closures. Local authorities have a responsibility for making alternative arrangements for anyone that they place in a home which subsequently closes.
	We have not allocated resources to social services departments specifically to meet any local short fall in care home provision. However, we are increasing total resources available for social services by an average of 6 per cent. a year in real terms over the next three years (200304 to 200506). These increases follow average annual real terms increases of more than 3 per cent. between 199697 and 200203 including a 3.6 per cent. real terms increase this year (200203). These substantial increases in resources, in particular over the next three years, will enable local authorities to deliver the improvements to social services to which the Government are committed. Additional resources were also included in these budgets to help providers with the costs of meeting key national minimum standards. This means that local authorities have the resources they need to purchase services at realistic prices.

Epilepsy

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how the Government will ensure that there is effective communication between primary and secondary epilepsy care providers;
	(2)  if the Government will conduct awareness-raising campaigns for epilepsy with (a) patients, (b) carers and (c) the general public;
	(3)  if the Government will ensure that those experiencing their first epileptic seizure have access to an epilepsy specialist within 28 days;
	(4)  if the Government will ensure that people with epilepsy receive check-ups every six months with their GP or epilepsy specialist to review their medication;
	(5)  what the Government's policy is on the recommendation by the Chief Medical Officer in his annual report that it should put together an action plan for treatment of epilepsy within three months;
	(6)  whether the Government seeks to ensure that (a) epilepsy related deaths are centrally recorded and (b) coroners are made aware of this;

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps are being taken to warn those with epilepsy of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy;
	(2)  what steps are being taken to prevent those at risk from developing epilepsy;
	(3)  what steps are being taken to improve care for those with epilepsy;
	(4)  what steps are being taken to reduce the number of people who die each year as a result of epilepsy.

Jacqui Smith: The Department has recently welcomed the publication of the Government funded national sentinel audit of epilepsy-related death. The audit looked at investigations into epilepsy deaths, care provided prior to death and contact with bereaved families. The Department has given a commitment to consider the recommendations of the audit and develop an action plan by September 2002 to try to improve epilepsy services and reduce the number of preventable deaths from epilepsy.
	The Department is also undertaking a range of initiatives to improve services for the care and management of people with epilepsy. For example, we have:
	Provided funding to the Joint Epilepsy Council (JEC) to develop a National Statement of Good Practice for the Treatment and Care of People who have Epilepsy, which was published in May 2002. The statement makes a series of recommendations for good quality epilepsy services. It is intended to facilitate commissioning and will be of use to national health service purchasers, providers and service users.
	Asked the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) to develop a clinical guideline (due in summer 2004) for the diagnosis, management and treatment of epilepsy to help address widespread variations in clinical practice and contribute to the improvement of services. This will be supported by a technology appraisal (due autumn 2003) of the clinical and cost effectiveness of new anti-epileptic drugs in children and adults, to help promote appropriate uptake and equitable access.
	Announced that the national service framework (NSF) for long term conditions is expected to develop standards of care for specific neurological conditions, including epilepsy. The NSF is expected to be published in 2004. Implementation is expected to start from 2005.
	Developed the expert patients programme, which aims to provide training in self-management skills for people with long term chronic conditions. The first pilot phase will include people with epilepsy.
	Provided funding to the national society for epilepsy for its living well project. The project aims to promote independent living by providing locally based short-term courses for people with epilepsy to develop self-help and self-management techniques.

Cataract Care

Laura Moffatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the new cataract unit at the Surrey and Sussex Trust.

David Lammy: The development of Limpsfield Ward, which specialises in Ophthalmology, has been to create a walk in one day unit for patients requiring cataract surgery. The development has included redesigned waiting, reception and admission areas, an additional assessment clinic room, additional space for consultants and their secretaries, a separate dedicated anaesthetic room and a dedicated operating theatre. This is all under one roof resulting in the patient only being in the unit for one and a half to two hours on the day of surgery. Waiting times are reducing rapidly, and the number of patients being treated has increased.

Mobile Phones (Hospitals)

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the technical reasons why mobile phones are prohibited from hospitals.

Hazel Blears: The medical devices agency published a comprehensive device bulletin in March 1997 listing the effects of mobile communications on a wide range of medical devices (MDA DB 9702 March 1997). This research identified that some critical care and life support devices were adversely affected by the radiated fields from mobile phones, particularly if used within approximately 2.5 million of medical devices.
	Examples of typical adverse effects are lock up of software driven devices, spurious changes to set parameters, screen interference and interference to displayed electro-cardiographs.
	As there are various levels of risk to medical devices associated with the use of different mobile phone systems there is no outright prohibition on the use of mobile phones in hospitals. Trusts have been advised to develop local policies in order to manage the risk particularly in areas where critical care and life support devices may be used.

Organ Donation

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the impact on the number of lives that would be saved each year if a system of presumed consent for organ donation were introduced.

David Lammy: No such estimates have been made. Comparisons with other European countries, which operate a system of presumed consent show most have comparable levels of organ donation to the UK. The highest level of cadaveric donation is in Spain where consent to donation is always sought.

Pesticides

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library his scientific evidence on which the recommendation from the Advisory Committee in Pesticides to alter advice provided to schools and parents in reducing the exposure of children to pesticide residues was based.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 10 April 2002
	The scientific evidence on which the advisory committee on pesticides (ACP) based its advice on washing and peeling fruit and vegetables is contained in the relevant ACP committee papers which have been placed in the Libraries.

Correspondence

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letter dated 27 November 2001 from the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell relating to an inquiry by Mr. Moran of 130 Curtis Road, West Ewell, Surrey.

David Lammy: The Department could not trace this correspondence. The Department's ministerial correspondence unit has sought a copy of the correspondence.

Correspondence

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many letters were received by each Minister in his Department in each month since June 1997.

David Lammy: The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the volume of Members' correspondence received by Departments. The report for 2001 was published on 24 May 2002, Official Report, columns 67476W. Copies of previous reports are available in the Library.

Departmental Recruitment

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many net additional staff his Department has recruited in each month since June 2001 at (a) executive officer level and (b) administrative level.

David Lammy: The information requested is shown in the table. There is a total net reduction of staff during this period of:
	Executive office level36 reduction (-32.95 full-time equivalent)
	Administrative office level105 reduction (-100.36 full-time equivalent)
	
		
			   Administrative Executive Officer level  
			  Headcount FTE Headcount FTE 
		
		
			 June 2001 
			 Casual 10 9.41 2 2.64 
			 Permanent 12 11.89 3 3.32 
			 Total 22 21.3 5 5.96 
			  
			 July 2001 
			 Casual 21 18.18 0 -0.4 
			 Permanent 30 28.88 9 9 
			 Total 51 47.06 9 8.6 
			  
			 August 2001 
			 Casual -17 -15.83 -2 -1.81 
			 Permanent -4 -2.96 -5 -5.13 
			 Total -21 -18.79 -7 -6.94 
			  
			 September 2001 
			 Casual -13 -11.08 3 3 
			 Permanent -11 -11.68 -5 -4.33 
			 Total -24 -22.76 -2 -1.33 
			  
			 October 2001 
			 Casual 1 0.49 -1 -0.81 
			 Permanent 6 6.12 -6 -6.19 
			 Total 7 6.61 -7 -7 
			 November 2001 
			 Casual 3 3.01 -1 -1 
			 Permanent -8 -8.18 5 5 
			 Total -5 -5.17 4 4 
			  
			 December 2001 
			 Casual -2 -0.9 0 0 
			 Permanent -94 -93.75 -18 -17.33 
			 Total -96 -94.65 -18 -17.33 
			  
			 January 2002 
			 Casual 3 3.29 1 0.83 
			 Permanent 2 1.61 -1 -1 
			 Total 5 4.9 0 -0.17 
			  
			 February 2002 
			 Casual 2 1.68 -1 -0.83 
			 Permanent -9 -8.1 -4 -3.54 
			 Total -7 -6.42 -5 -4.37 
			  
			 March 2002 
			 Casual -4 -2.77 -3 -3 
			 Permanent -28 -25.14 -6 -6 
			 Total -32 -27.91 -9 -9 
			  
			 April 2002 
			 Casual 3 2.79 7 7.63 
			 Permanent -8 -7.32 -13 -13 
			 Total -5 -4.53 -6 -5.37 
			 Grand Total -105 -100.36 -36 -32.95 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health PARIS personnel system

Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation (a) has a website and (b) makes its minutes available on a website.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 2 May 2002
	The website for the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation was launched on 30 May. Information which will be available on the website includes a list of members, their declarations of interest, minutes, and terms of reference.
	It is also intended to use the website to advertise board vacancies. The website address is www.doh.gov.uk/jcvi/ index.htm

E.coli

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of E.coli infection there were in each of the last five years.

Hazel Blears: The Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) for England and Wales and the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health in Scotland (SCIEH) receives reports from microbiology laboratories for E.coli blood stream isolates (bacteraemias) and E.coli 0157 faecal isolates. E.coli is the second most common cause of bacteraemia. The results for the past five years are as set out in the table.
	
		E.coli blood stream isolates (bacteraemias) and E.coli 0157 faecal isolates; England, Wales and Scotland, 1997 to 2002
		
			   E.coli bacteraemias  E.coli 0157 faecal isolates  
			 Year England and Wales Scotland(21) England and Wales Scotland(21) 
		
		
			 1997 (22)10,336 1,572 (22)1,087 423 
			 1998 (22)11,537 1,672 (22)890 217 
			 1999 (22)11,329 1,586 (22)1,084 294 
			 2000 (23)11,032 1,545 (22)896 197 
			 2001(24) (23)11,392 1,499 (22)768 237 
		
	
	Data sources:
	(21) Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health
	(22) PHLS website
	(23) PHLS CDR Weekly
	(24) Provisional data
	In addition, SCIEH received a further 237 reports of E.coli infection not specified as E.coli 0157 over the five-year period.
	For Northern Ireland, the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre received the following confirmed laboratory reports:
	
		
			  E.coli total (all serotypes) E.coli 0157 
		
		
			 1997 515 30 
			 1998 507 29 
			 1999 481 54 
			 2000 579 54 
			 2001 584 52

Pensions

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent by his Department on paying pensions to retired employees of his Department in 200102; if he will estimate the corresponding amounts to be spent in (a) five years' time, (b) 10 years' time, (c) 20 years' time and (d) 30 years' time; if he will estimate in each case the proportion of such liabilities which will arise from (i) unfunded pension schemes and (ii) pre-funded pension schemes; and in the case of pre-funded schemes, if he will estimate the value of the corresponding pre-funded funds in each of these years.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 20 May 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office on 23 May 2002, Official Report, column 561W.

NICE

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what products have been (a) approved and (b) rejected for use in the NHS by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence since its inception.

David Lammy: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) does not approve or reject products for use within the national health service. The role of NICE is to provide guidance for health care professionals and patients and their carers, that will help to inform their decisions about treatment and health care. NICE guidance does not override the responsibility of health care professionals to make appropriate decisions on the circumstances of individual patients. However, they are expected to take the guidance fully into account when exercising their clinical judgment.
	It is possible to place the technology appraisals published to date into the following categories:
	
		
			 Recommendation Number of appraisals 
		
		
			 Recommended for routine use 11 
			 Selective use 27 
			 Research only 4 
			 Total 42

Scottish Executive

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many representations the Scottish Executive has made to his Department since May 1999, broken down by (a) Scottish Executive Department, (b) subject and (c) date;
	(2)  how many times his Office has made representations to the Scottish Executive since May 1999, broken down by (a) Department approached, (b) subject and (c) date.

David Lammy: I refer the hon. Member to the answer provided to her by the Prime Minister on 24 May 2002, Official Report, column 601W.

Parliamentary Questions

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of ordinary written questions for his Department were answered within a week of tabling in each month since June 2001; and what proportion of questions for named day received a substantive answer on that day in each month since June 2001.

David Lammy: Available data 1 are shown in the table:
	
		
			  Percentage of:  
			  Month (current Session) Ordinary written questions answered within one week of tabling  Named day written questions answered on day named 
		
		
			 June 20 30 
			 July 39 22 
			 September/October 25 22 
			 November 7 24 
			 December 8 42 
			 January 18 13 
			 February 23 14 
			 March 4 42 
			 April 20 28 
			 May(26) 31 32 
		
	
	(25) Based on 10 per cent. sample of the records
	(26) To date
	We are developing an improved database capable of providing more sophisticated analysis of information which should be introduced before the next parliamentary Session.

Land Sales

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the land that his Department is (a) offering for sale and (b) plans to offer in the next 12 months, giving its (i) location and (ii) size.

David Lammy: No land held by the Department for its own use is being offered for sale nor are there any plans to do so in the next 12 months.
	This answer does not include the national health service.

Press Releases

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many press releases have been issued by his Department in each month of 2002.

David Lammy: The information is shown in the table:
	
		
			 Month Number of press releases issued 
		
		
			 January 2002 40 
			 February 2002 45 
			 March 2002 49 
			 April 2002 32 
			 May 2002(27) 32 
		
	
	(27) To date, 22 May

Press Releases

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many press releases were issued by his Department (a) in each month between May and December 1997 and (b) in each year from 1998 to 2001 inclusive.

David Lammy: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Isle of Wight (Mr. Turner) on 20 March 2002, Official Report, column 436W.

Devolution

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to transfer the administration of reserved powers and functions of the Department of Health, its executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies within its remit from the Department of Health to the Scotland Office.

David Lammy: I refer the hon. Member to the answer provided to her by the Prime Minister on 24 May 2002, Official Report, column 601W.

Prescriptions

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) cost per head of resident population and (b) average cost per prescription was of (i) tranquillisers and (ii) anti-depressants prescribed by GPs in each health authority in England in (A) the most recent available year and (B) the previous three years.

David Lammy: Information for 2000 and 2001 is shown in the table. Information for 1999 and 1998 was provided in a reply to my hon. Friend to a previous question on 17 July 2000, Official Report, column 79W.
	
		The net integrated cost per head of population and the average net ingredient cost per prescription item for tranquillisers and antidepressants dispensed in the community in England by health authority, 2000 and 2001
		
			  Tranquillisers Antidepressants  
			  Net ingredient cost per head of population Average net ingredient cost per prescription item Net ingredient cost per head of population Average net ingredient cost per prescription item  
			 Health authority in which items were dispensed 2000 2001 2000 2001 2000 2001 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Avon 2.5 3.0 5.78 6.95 5.8 6.5 13.91 13.88 
			 Barking and Havering 2.6 3.3 7.82 9.68 4.2 4.6 14.43 14.40 
			 Barnet, Enfield and Haringey 3.0 3.8 9.40 12.28 4.5 5.0 16.16 16.30 
			 Barnsley 2.8 3.4 4.52 5.84 7.5 8.2 13.37 13.39 
			 Bedfordshire 2.1 2.8 5.86 7.70 5.1 5.6 14.20 14.33 
			 Berkshire 2.4 2.8 7.48 8.84 5.6 6.1 14.96 14.76 
			 Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich 2.3 2.7 6.77 8.19 5.1 5.4 15.57 15.35 
			 Birmingham 2.8 3.7 6.36 8.22 5.4 6.0 14.18 14.53 
			 Bradford 2.8 3.5 4.05 4.71 6.4 6.8 11.60 11.16 
			 Brent and Harrow 3.2 4.1 11.35 14.44 3.9 4.4 16.77 17.14 
			 Buckinghamshire 2.0 2.5 6.40 7.60 4.9 5.5 14.53 14.59 
			 Bury and Rochdale 3.3 4.2 6.05 7.63 7.5 8.3 13.57 13.75 
			 Calderdale and Kirklees 3.1 3.7 5.53 6.77 6.2 6.8 13.80 13.56 
			 Cambridgeshire 2.1 2.6 5.36 6.75 5.8 6.4 13.58 13.45 
			 Camden and Islington 3.9 4.6 8.65 10.42 6.4 6.7 17.91 17.53 
			 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly 2.4 2.8 4.46 5.12 7.0 7.7 12.64 12.54 
			 County Durham and Darlington 2.9 3.5 5.54 6.65 7.6 8.2 12.99 12.77 
			 Coventry 3.7 4.5 7.27 8.66 5.2 5.8 14.24 14.13 
			 Croydon 3.6 4.4 11.34 14.01 4.6 4.9 15.96 15.92 
			 Doncaster 2.4 2.7 4.85 5.67 7.0 7.7 12.31 12.11 
			 Dorset 2.6 3.1 5.52 6.58 6.1 6.5 12.67 12.40 
			 Dudley 2.2 2.8 6.55 8.17 5.5 6.2 14.92 15.25 
			 Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow 2.9 3.6 9.05 11.36 4.3 4.6 17.51 17.29 
			 East Kent 3.5 4.2 7.50 9.39 6.3 6.8 14.74 14.77 
			 East Lancashire 3.8 4.5 5.09 5.83 6.6 7.5 12.37 12.45 
			 East London and The City 3.4 4.4 11.62 14.44 4.2 4.7 15.21 15.08 
			 East Riding and Hull 3.0 3.4 5.94 6.92 5.6 6.3 12.55 12.38 
			 East Surrey 2.5 3.0 7.00 8.30 5.7 6.2 17.55 17.39 
			 East Sussex, Brighton and Hove 3.8 4.5 6.08 7.12 7.3 8.1 15.82 15.99 
			 Gateshead and South Tyneside 3.0 3.6 5.93 7.15 8.1 8.8 13.91 13.59 
			 Gloucestershire 2.2 2.8 5.26 6.34 6.7 7.3 14.98 14.91 
			 Herefordshire 1.9 2.4 5.92 7.38 5.2 5.7 13.64 13.71 
			 Hertfordshire 2.2 2.8 6.53 8.30 5.7 6.2 15.66 15.53 
			 Hillingdon 2.0 2.6 6.38 8.10 4.0 4.5 14.36 14.32 
			 Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and South East Hampshire 2.8 3.5 6.91 8.12 7.6 8.6 15.44 15.82 
			 Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster 3.3 4.0 9.67 11.75 5.3 5.6 19.09 18.92 
			 Kingston and Richmond 2.5 3.1 7.22 8.60 4.9 5.3 16.30 15.97 
			 Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham 3.2 3.8 9.95 11.93 4.5 4.8 14.60 14.45 
			 Leeds 2.9 3.6 6.12 7.64 7.5 8.2 13.67 13.66 
			 Leicestershire 2.5 3.0 6.76 8.15 5.9 6.4 16.03 15.64 
			 Lincolnshire 2.6 3.2 4.83 6.01 6.5 7.0 12.19 11.72 
			 Liverpool 4.3 5.3 7.10 9.02 8.3 9.0 13.99 13.93 
			 Manchester 4.8 5.6 6.95 8.11 7.7 8.5 12.78 12.57 
			 Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth 3.3 4.0 9.89 11.99 4.7 5.0 16.46 16.31 
			 Morecambe Bay 3.3 4.0 5.45 6.53 7.7 8.4 13.56 13.25 
			 Newcastle and North Tyneside 3.5 4.6 6.55 8.52 7.7 8.7 12.57 12.79 
			 Norfolk 2.7 3.4 4.72 5.74 7.9 8.9 13.44 13.39 
			 North and East Devon 3.3 3.7 6.44 7.11 6.2 6.7 12.95 12.96 
			 North and Mid Hampshire 2.8 3.4 7.90 9.45 6.3 7.0 15.05 15.29 
			 North Cheshire 2.6 3.0 4.54 5.31 7.1 7.7 13.49 13.40 
			 North Cumbria 3.2 3.9 6.47 7.76 8.0 9.1 14.81 15.18 
			 North Derbyshire 2.2 2.7 5.21 6.39 6.4 6.9 12.35 11.86 
			 North Essex 2.5 3.0 6.03 7.33 6.0 6.7 13.49 13.46 
			 North Nottinghamshire 1.9 2.4 4.36 5.47 5.5 6.1 11.36 11.14 
			 North Staffordshire 2.6 3.3 5.13 6.62 7.9 8.8 15.07 15.24 
			 North Yorkshire 2.2 2.6 5.38 6.52 5.5 6.0 11.93 11.84 
			 Northamptonshire 2.4 3.0 6.49 7.93 6.0 6.6 14.36 14.15 
			 Northumberland 2.8 3.3 5.81 6.71 7.2 8.0 13.16 13.16 
			 Nottingham 1.2 1.3 3.70 4.44 5.9 6.4 13.41 13.14 
			 North West Lancashire 3.8 4.8 5.70 7.24 7.6 8.6 13.25 13.36 
			 Oxfordshire 2.3 2.8 7.15 8.76 5.9 6.6 14.18 14.01 
			 Redbridge and Waltham Forest 2.9 3.7 9.81 12.49 4.4 4.7 16.20 16.31 
			 Rotherham 3.2 4.2 6.00 7.81 7.8 8.7 14.69 14.47 
			 Southampton and South West Hampshire 3.1 3.8 7.61 8.96 7.7 8.7 14.44 14.61 
			 Salford and Trafford 3.5 4.3 5.26 6.51 7.9 8.6 13.23 12.95 
			 Sandwell 2.5 2.9 6.60 7.73 5.9 6.6 14.55 14.90 
			 Sefton 4.5 5.5 6.93 8.52 7.6 8.4 13.81 13.90 
			 Sheffield 2.2 2.6 4.82 5.84 7.0 7.4 13.33 12.73 
			 Shropshire 2.6 3.1 6.86 8.09 6.3 7.1 15.90 16.04 
			 Solihull 2.1 2.6 5.92 7.40 6.1 7.0 16.10 16.56 
			 Somerset 2.3 2.8 4.94 5.79 5.8 6.4 13.19 12.91 
			 South and West Devon 3.4 4.2 6.18 7.49 6.4 7.1 13.34 13.51 
			 South Cheshire 2.9 3.6 6.14 7.61 7.2 8.1 14.98 15.18 
			 South Essex 2.3 3.0 6.11 7.92 5.5 6.0 15.11 14.79 
			 South Humber 2.6 3.3 4.47 5.64 5.3 6.0 12.27 12.18 
			 South Lancashire 2.6 3.2 5.57 6.86 6.0 6.8 13.26 13.61 
			 South Staffordshire 2.0 2.4 5.40 6.55 5.6 6.1 14.53 14.20 
			 Southern Derbyshire 1.9 2.5 5.15 7.03 6.0 6.4 14.72 14.34 
			 St. Helens and Knowsley 3.7 4.8 5.59 7.33 7.3 8.4 12.48 12.93 
			 Stockport 3.3 3.9 4.83 5.99 8.2 8.8 12.88 12.78 
			 Suffolk 2.2 2.9 5.29 6.77 7.9 8.7 14.81 14.70 
			 Sunderland 2.7 3.3 6.08 7.76 7.6 8.6 14.94 15.37 
			 Tees 3.3 4.1 5.57 6.85 7.6 8.6 14.51 14.64 
			 Wakefield 3.1 3.8 6.05 7.36 6.5 7.2 11.85 11.87 
			 Walsall 3.2 4.0 6.73 8.81 5.5 6.0 13.93 14.20 
			 Warwickshire 2.5 3.1 6.33 7.58 5.4 6.0 14.53 14.08 
			 West Kent 2.5 3.1 6.25 7.83 5.6 6.3 14.66 14.73 
			 West Pennine 2.7 3.2 4.42 5.33 5.7 6.2 12.65 12.47 
			 West Surrey 2.4 3.0 6.44 7.89 5.8 6.3 16.50 16.49 
			 West Sussex 2.7 3.2 5.92 7.06 6.6 7.3 14.99 15.21 
			 Wigan and Bolton 2.8 3.6 4.82 6.15 6.7 7.6 13.04 13.39 
			 Wiltshire 2.3 2.9 5.91 7.31 6.3 6.9 13.81 13.66 
			 Wirral 4.0 4.8 5.51 6.65 7.9 8.6 12.25 12.01 
			 Wolverhampton 3.1 3.6 7.93 9.07 5.1 5.7 13.76 13.66 
			 Worcestershire 1.8 2.5 5.29 7.04 5.8 6.5 13.81 13.97 
			 England 2.8 3.4 6.20 7.60 6.2 6.8 14.89 14.04 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Tranquillisers are defined as those drugs within the British National Formulary (BNF) sections 4.1, hypnotics and anxiolytics, and 4.2 drugs used in psychoses and related disorders. Antidepressant drugs are those within the BNF section 4.3
	2. The data are from the Prescription Cost Analysis system and cover all prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and dispensing doctors in England. The system covers prescriptions originating from general practices and also those written by nurses
	3. The net ingredient cost refers to the cost of the drug before discounts and does not include any dispensing costs or fees. It does not include any adjustment for income obtained where a prescription charge is paid at the time the prescription is dispensed
	4. ONS mid-year population projections have been used

Leukaemia

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the Department's estimate is of the average time scale for each of the three stages of chronic myeloid leukaemia; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many people have died from chronic myeloid leukaemia in the last two years; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what criteria are used to assess which of the three stages of chronic myeloid leukaemia a patient is in; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: Three phases of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) are usually definable; the chronic phase, an accelerated phase and the blast phase.
	The chronic phase is typically of three to five years duration from diagnosis. The majority of patients are in chronic phase at presentation. Clinically, in the chronic phase there are less than 10 per cent. immature blood cells (called blast cells) and promyelocytes (one of the series of cells that gives rise to granulocytesa type of white blood cell) in the bone marrow. There is an elevated white cell count and often an elevated platelet count.
	The accelerated phase of CML marks the transition to the blast phase typically lasting two to 15 months, but generally leading to a rapidly fatal blast crisis within six months. As the accelerated phase is associated with numerous haematological cytogenic and clinical signs and symptoms, no single set of criteria for its onset is accepted.
	The blast phase is usually fatal within three to six months of onset. Clinically, the presence of 30 per cent. or more blast cells in the marrow or the presence of blast cells within the peripheral blood defines the blast phase.
	There were 514 deaths due to chronic myeloid leukaemia occurring in 2000 and 465 deaths occurring in 1999.

NHS Dentistry

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of (a) children and (b) adults in England are registered with an NHS dentist.

David Lammy: Arrangements are now in place to ensure that patients can gain access to national health service services simply by calling NHS Direct. This means that even if a patient chooses not to register with a dentist it will still be possible for that patient to access all forms of dentistry that are provided by the NHS.
	60 per cent. of children and 43 per cent. of adults were registered with a general dental service (GDS) dentist in England at 31 March 2002.

Timber

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the refurbishment projects that (a) are in progress and (b) will start within the next six months; and what action is being taken to ensure that these will procure certified timber.

David Lammy: There are no refurbishment projects currently in progress in the buildings occupied by the Department for its own use, although a small project to fit out headquarter premises for the commission for patient and public involvement may commence within the next six months.
	Environmental criteria are now contained as part of the specification in tendering contracts and include a requirement that timber products are from sustainable sources.

Diabetes

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what training medical students receive in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: holding answer 10 June 2002
	Individual university medical schools determine their own undergraduate medical curriculum in the light of recommendations from the General Medical Council's education committee, which has the statutory responsibility to determine the extent and knowledge and skill required for the granting of primary medical qualifications in the UK. This includes the range of problems that are presented to doctors and the range of solutions that have been developed for their recognition, investigation, prevention and treatment.
	The undergraduate medical course is the first step in the continuum of medical education, laying down the foundation for future professional life. The undergraduate course is not intended to provide specialist medical education within which training in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes would fall.

Diabetes

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to allow GPs to complete form C1EXAM3 when diabetes sufferers apply for C1(+E) licences; and if he will make a statement.

John Spellar: I have been asked to reply.
	There are currently no plans to allow general practitioners to complete the C1EXAM3 form. My right hon. Friend's honorary medical advisory panel on driving and diabetes advises that a specialist assessment by a consultant diabetologist is required when an insulin treated diabetes sufferer applies for a C1 (+E) licence. The situation will be reviewed should a system of accredited specialism in diabetes be introduced for general practitioners.

Diabetes

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the financial provision he will make to implement the national service framework for the treatment of diabetes.

David Lammy: The Budget provides the highest sustained growth in national health service history, with annual average increases of 7.4 per cent. In real terms over the five years 200304 to 200708. Decisions about the allocation of the increased funding will be announced later this year.

Alcohol Treatment Services

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions his Department has had on the co-ordination of policies to reduce alcoholism in the United Kingdom.

Hazel Blears: The NHS Plan said that the Government would implement a national strategy to tackle alcohol misuse in England by 2004 and we are on course to achieve this. We will consult fully with the devolved Administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as we develop this strategy. It is also the case that the devolved Administrations have consulted the Department in developing their own strategies for tackling alcohol misuse, including the strategy for Scotland that was published in January this year.

Foundation Hospitals

Julia Drown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health to which Government targets foundation hospitals will now have to adhere.

David Lammy: Foundation trusts will be expected to deliver their contribution to Government targets and uphold national standards and guarantees to patients.

Foundation Hospitals

Julia Drown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what extra flexibility foundation hospitals will have in pay over other NHS trusts.

John Hutton: Foundation trusts will be able to use the flexibilities of the new pay system we are currently negotiating to modernise the work force including developing additional rewards for those staff who are contributing most. The full details of the flexibilities will be available once the pay modernisation negotiations are complete and the legislation is finalised.

Respiratory Syncitial Virus

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children were re-admitted to hospital more than once during the year suffering from the respiratory syncitial virus in the last three years in the South East region, broken down by age; how many of these were re-admitted to the intensive care unit; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is not collected centrally.
	All information held on hospital admissions of children diagnosed with respiratory syncitial virus in the south east was contained in the answer given to the hon. Member by the Under-Secretary of State for Health, my hon. Friend the Member for Pontefract and Castleford (Yvette Cooper), on 10 May 2002, Official Report, column 401W.

Orthodontic Treatment

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he (a) collates and (b) will publish details of waiting times for NHS orthodontic treatment.

David Lammy: Information on waiting times for orthodontic treatment carried out in primary care, which accounts for the majority of orthodontic services, is not held centrally. However, information is available for patients who have been referred to hospital for treatment. Latest data show that at quarter ending 31 March 2002 there were 2,716 out-patients who had been waiting over 13 weeks for a first out-patient appointment with an orthodontic consultant and there were 130 in-patients waiting for orthodontic treatment.
	The intention to reform orthodontic treatment was signalled in the NHS dental strategy Modernising NHS DentistryImplementing the NHS Plan published in September 2000. The Department continues to work with the profession to see how reform might be achieved.

Orthodontic Treatment

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were waiting for orthodontic treatment on 1 May in each year since 1996.

David Lammy: Information on waiting times for orthodontic treatment carried out in primary care, which accounts for the majority of orthodontic services, is not held centrally. However, information is available for patients who have been referred to hospital for treatment. The tables show orthodontic treatment waiting times for in-patients and out-patients in hospitals.
	The intention to reform orthodontic treatment was signalled in the NHS dental strategy Modernising NHS DentistryImplementing the NHS Plan published in September 2000. The Department continues to work with the profession to see how reform might be achieved.
	
		Table 1: Waiting time for first out-patient appointment, Orthodontics consultant specialty, England
		
			   Of those GP written referrals seen, the number who waited (weeks) Of those GP written referrals seen, the percentage who waited (weeks) GP written referrals still waiting, who have been waiting (weeks)  
			  Quarter ended Number of GP written referral requests seen 0 to less than 4 4 to less than 13 13 to less than 26  26 plus less than 4 (per cent.) less than 13 (per cent.) less than 26 (per cent.) 13 to less than 26  26 plus 
		
		
			 March 1996 24,965 4,805 9,598 6,173 4,389 19 58 82 3,978 3,524 
			 March 1997 20,690 3,681 8,936 4,974 3,099 18 61 85 4,442 3,380 
			 March 1998 19,236 2,784 7,838 5,911 2,703 14 55 86 5,170 5,258 
			 March 1999 19,438 2,418 7,464 5,595 3,961 12 51 80 6,524 5,074 
			 March 2000 23,175 3,036 7,971 7,009 5,159 13 47 78 5,225 4,614 
			 March 2001 21,237 2,955 9,339 5,184 3,759 14 58 82 3,996 2,982 
			 March 2002 21,176 3,484 8,980 5,597 3,115 16 59 85 2,713 3 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health form QM08
	
		Table 2: Patients waiting for elective admission, Orthodontics consultant speciality, England (ordinary and day case admissions combined)
		
			   Total patients waiting for admission by month waiting  
			 Quarter ended Waiting Less than 3 35 68 911 1214 1517 18 plus 
		
		
			 March 1996 257 136 63 34 24 0 0 0 
			 March 1997 253 119 91 28 15 0 0 0 
			 March 1998 304 149 77 50 25 3 0 0 
			 March 1999 184 74 61 29 16 3 1 0 
			 March 2000 84 31 27 17 6 3 0 0 
			 March 2001 170 77 50 26 14 3 0 0 
			 March 2002 130 50 49 18 13 0 0 0 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health form KH07

Orthodontic Treatment

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department gives on which orthodontic treatments should be made available on the NHS.

David Lammy: Details of all orthodontic treatment that can be made available through general dental services are included in the statement of dental remuneration (SDR), which is issued to all dental practitioners and health authorities annually, in April. The Department does not give specific advice on what treatment a dentist or orthodontist should provide for patients, as this is a matter for the individuals' clinical judgment. However, the range of treatments available in the SDR was introduced in consultation with the profession and is considered adequate to ensure the best treatment outcome for all patients.
	Over recent months officials have had helpful discussions with the profession on possible changes to the current system and the Department will continue to work with the profession on this.

Orthodontic Treatment

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people per 1,000 of the population were provided with orthodontic treatment in each year since 1996, broken down by health authority.

David Lammy: The available information is shown in the table and quantifies the number of claims made for the provision of orthodontic appliances in the general dental service (GDS) per 1,000 population by health authority (HA) in England for each year from 199697 to 200102.
	The figures for HAs will be affected by some patients receiving treatment in a different HA area from one in which they reside.
	
		General dental service: number of claims for orthodontic appliances per 1,000 population(28), 199697 to 200102 -- England
		
			 Health authority 199697 199798 199899 19992000 200001 200102 
		
		
			 Avon 4.9 5.1 5.6 6.5 6.5 8.3 
			 Barking and Havering 5.6 7.6 6.2 7.4 7.6 7.2 
			 Barnet, Enfield and Haringey 8.0 9.2 8.2 8.2 9.5 9.6 
			 Barnsley 2.2 1.9 2.1 2.0 2.1 1.4 
			 Bedfordshire 5.0 5.7 5.7 3.6 1.9 1.7 
			 Berkshire 7.3 8.1 7.4 5.6 5.8 6.7 
			 Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich 6.0 6.1 6.8 7.2 7.7 7.5 
			 Birmingham 4.4 4.6 4.6 4.7 5.0 4.8 
			 Bradford 2.0 1.9 1.9 2.1 1.8 1.9 
			 Brent and Harrow 9.3 4.3 3.1 3.1 3.3 3.8 
			 Buckinghamshire 3.8 4.4 5.5 4.8 4.2 4.3 
			 Bury and Rochdale 5.5 5.8 6.5 5.3 5.9 6.0 
			 Calderdale and Kirklees 3.3 3.5 3.8 3.6 4.0 4.3 
			 Cambridge and Huntingdon(29) 6.8 5.7 4.9
			 Cambridge(29)4.4 4.1 5.4 
			 Camden and Islington 1.1 1.5 1.9 1.9 2.4 2.6 
			 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly 2.6 2.9 3.0 3.5 3.5 3.3 
			 County Durham 2.5 2.2 2.3 2.5 2.3 2.6 
			 Coventry 2.5 2.7 2.8 3.0 3.1 3.3 
			 Croydon 6.5 6.9 6.9 6.6 6.7 6.4 
			 Doncaster 4.3 4.4 5.0 5.2 5.7 6.1 
			 Dorset 4.3 3.9 3.9 3.9 4.0 3.6 
			 Dudley 2.6 3.1 3.4 3.7 3.7 3.8 
			 Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow 1.8 2.1 2.6 3.2 3.8 4.0 
			 East Kent 4.2 3.0 3.4 3.7 3.6 4.0 
			 East Lancashire 4.3 3.6 3.7 3.6 3.3 3.3 
			 East London and The City 2.8 3.0 3.1 3.5 4.8 4.2 
			 East Norfolk(29) 6.0 5.8 5.7
			 East Riding 2.4 2.5 2.7 3.1 3.1 3.0 
			 East Surrey 4.2 4.6 5.2 4.8 5.5 6.1 
			 East Sussex, Brighton and Hove 3.8 4.7 4.6 4.5 4.0 4.0 
			 Gateshead and South Tyneside 1.8 1.6 1.9 2.0 1.9 1.7 
			 Gloucestershire 4.5 4.8 5.8 6.5 6.4 5.9 
			 Herefordshire 2.9 2.8 2.8 3.3 4.5 4.7 
			 Hertfordshire 6.5 6.7 6.6 6.4 7.9 8.9 
			 Hillingdon 8.0 7.0 8.4 8.3 7.5 6.2 
			 Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and South East Hampshire 3.9 3.4 3.5 3.1 2.5 1.8 
			 Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster 0.7 2.9 4.6 4.7 5.6 6.8 
			 Kingston and Richmond 4.7 6.3 4.6 5.8 7.9 7.2 
			 Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham 1.0 2.1 2.9 4.2 3.8 3.1 
			 Leeds 4.8 5.1 5.9 5.8 6.0 6.6 
			 Leicestershire 3.3 3.8 3.7 3.7 3.7 4.8 
			 Lincolnshire 2.0 2.4 2.7 2.3 2.5 2.6 
			 Liverpool 7.0 7.0 7.2 6.6 6.5 5.5 
			 Manchester 3.1 2.9 3.1 2.6 2.8 2.7 
			 Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth 4.5 4.1 2.8 2.7 3.3 4.5 
			 Morecambe Bay 3.2 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.4 3.4 
			 Newcastle and North Tyneside 3.5 4.4 3.8 4.5 3.8 4.2 
			 Norfolk(29)4.7 4.7 4.7 
			 North and East Devon 4.5 4.6 5.0 4.6 5.1 6.4 
			 North and Mid Hampshire 2.2 2.2 2.6 2.5 3.1 3.6 
			 North Cheshire 6.3 5.7 6.7 7.3 7.1 7.1 
			 North Cumbria 3.0 2.5 2.6 2.3 2.6 2.3 
			 North Derbyshire 4.5 4.8 4.6 4.3 4.5 4.3 
			 North Essex 6.6 5.9 6.2 5.8 5.2 5.3 
			 North Nottinghamshire 5.8 5.8 6.6 5.9 6.0 5.9 
			 North Staffordshire 3.4 3.3 3.2 2.9 3.1 2.8 
			 North West Anglia(29) 3.8 4.0 4.8
			 North West Lancashire 5.7 7.4 8.9 9.6 8.9 8.8 
			 North Yorkshire 4.4 4.3 4.6 4.5 4.2 4.4 
			 Northamptonshire 3.6 3.8 3.8 4.4 4.3 4.8 
			 Northumberland 2.3 2.1 2.0 1.8 1.6 1.6 
			 Nottingham 6.3 6.9 6.4 6.8 5.7 7.4 
			 Oxfordshire 3.8 4.0 4.1 4.9 4.9 5.6 
			 Redbridge and Waltham Forest 7.9 6.3 7.6 7.4 7.8 8.1 
			 Rotherham 3.5 3.6 3.6 3.2 2.8 2.7 
			 Salford and Trafford 5.3 5.4 7.0 8.4 8.0 8.4 
			 Sandwell 0.7 1.1 2.2 2.3 2.8 4.2 
			 Sefton 2.5 2.2 2.4 1.5 1.4 1.0 
			 Sheffield 5.8 5.0 4.6 4.4 4.8 5.2 
			 Shropshire 3.1 3.1 2.9 3.1 5.6 4.3 
			 Solihull 4.0 4.5 4.5 4.0 5.7 7.1 
			 Somerset 3.5 3.2 3.4 3.6 4.4 4.6 
			 South and West Devon 4.8 4.6 4.9 4.2 4.3 4.7 
			 South Cheshire 9.0 9.8 11.0 11.1 11.0 10.6 
			 South Derbyshire 2.7 3.0 2.9 3.0 3.4 3.7 
			 South Essex 4.7 3.9 2.9 2.4 3.4 3.4 
			 South Humber 2.5 2.7 2.8 2.3 2.5 2.3 
			 South Lancashire 3.3 3.9 3.5 5.1 6.2 6.1 
			 South Staffordshire 3.0 2.8 2.8 2.7 2.6 2.7 
			 Southampton and South West Hampshire 4.4 4.0 4.0 4.5 4.2 4.6 
			 St. Helens and Knowsley 2.6 3.2 3.0 2.2 2.4 1.7 
			 Stockport 6.5 6.5 6.3 5.2 5.7 5.4 
			 Suffolk 4.9 5.0 5.4 4.9 5.4 5.7 
			 Sunderland 2.8 3.0 3.3 3.2 2.9 3.4 
			 Tees 3.1 3.0 3.6 3.8 3.9 4.4 
			 Wakefield 3.0 2.3 1.9 2.0 3.0 4.9 
			 Walsall 2.2 2.2 2.0 2.2 2.7 2.7 
			 Warwickshire 2.1 2.1 2.4 2.9 3.2 3.4 
			 West Kent 3.9 4.8 5.9 5.8 8.5 8.9 
			 West Pennine 6.3 7.0 5.7 6.2 7.4 4.5 
			 West Surrey 7.9 8.4 8.8 8.3 8.8 8.6 
			 West Sussex 6.4 7.3 7.9 7.9 7.9 8.0 
			 Wigan and Bolton 5.9 6.5 6.3 5.5 5.9 5.7 
			 Wiltshire 4.3 4.8 4.3 4.8 5.4 4.5 
			 Wirral 5.2 6.0 6.7 7.1 9.0 9.7 
			 Wolverhampton 1.8 2.2 2.7 2.8 3.2 3.7 
			 Worcestershire 6.6 5.8 6.3 5.8 5.7 7.4 
			 England 4.4 4.6 4.7 4.7 4.9 5.1 
		
	
	(28) ONS 19962000 mid year population estimates based on the 1991 census are used to calculate the number of orthodontic claims per 1,000 population.
	(29) In April 1999 Cambridge and Huntingdon, East Norfolk and North West Anglia were replaced by Cambridge and North Norfolk health authorities.

Operation Waiting Time (Leicester)

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the waiting time is for operations in Leicester.

David Lammy: The table shows the waiting time for elective admission for patients in the area covered by the former Leicestershire health authority as at 31 March 2002.
	
		Patients waiting for elective admission
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Total patients waiting 15,354 
			   
			  Patients waiting for admission by months waiting 
			 Less than 3 9,111 
			 35 3,648 
			 68 1,710 
			 911 876 
			 1214 9 
			 1517 0 
			 18-plus 0 
			   
			 Median length of wait (months) 2.53

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Rwanda

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much assistance the UK Government provided for the Rwandan Government on a bilateral basis in (a) 200001 and (b) 200102.

Clare Short: The UK Government provided the following bilateral assistance to the Government of Rwanda during 200001 and 200102:
	20000132.8 million (of which 25.4 million was budgetary aid, and the remainder in project aid, technical co-operation and other grants);
	20010226.9 million 1 (of which 18 million was budgetary aid).
	1 This figure is provisional. Final disbursement figures will be available in November 2002 when Statistics on International Development is published.

Rwanda

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to the Government of Rwanda regarding the presence of Rwandan soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Clare Short: We are in regular contact with the Government of Rwanda on all aspects of its policies in the Great Lakes region, including the presence of its soldiers in the DRC. The international community has recognised, in numerous Security Council resolutions and in the Lusaka Peace Agreements, that Rwanda has legitimate security concerns that have led to its military presence in the DRC. We are working actively as part of the international community to work for full implementation of the Lusaka Peace agreement, which will ensure that legitimate security concerns are addressed so that Rwanda can safely withdraw its forces from the DRC at the earliest possible date.

Third World

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she is having to regulate the activities of international organisations with respect to the Third World; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: There are a large number of international organisations whose activities influence developing countries, these include the World Trade Organisation (WTO), World bank and regional development banks and the UN Agencies. The WTO exists as an organisation whose members can agree the trade rules that they consider to be mutually beneficial, with decisions made through consensus; the formal regulatory environment for the World bank and the regional development banks is established through their Articles of Agreement; UN agencies are regulated through their mandates. The executive boards of the multilateral development banks and the UN agencies provide day to day policy direction, oversight and control. In the Government's 2000 White Paper Making Globalisation Work for the Poor we are committed to build a stronger, more open and accountable international system, including to increase the capacity of poor countries to negotiate in the WTO, and I am continuing to have discussions with other stakeholders on how best to take this work forward.

Third World

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to encourage third world countries to protect (a) poorer farmers and (b) the environment in their own countries.

Clare Short: My Department is working with developing countries on poverty reduction strategies that will enable the poorest to lift themselves out of poverty. Three-quarters of the world's poorest people live in rural areas and depend significantly on agriculture. In many countries, therefore, this means attention to rural development and agriculture. Countries where we are already engaged in agricultural and rural reform processes include: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Ghana, India, Malawi, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda. My Department has recently issued a consultation paper, Better Livelihoods for Poor People: the Role of Agriculture. This focuses on the livelihoods of small and medium producers and proposes action within developing countries, particularly with regard to the policy and institutional environment that will create opportunities for the poor; at international level with regard to trade, standard setting and international agricultural research; and domestically with regard to the distortions caused by EU agricultural subsidies and trade barriers.
	We are also encouraging countries to mainstream environment within their poverty reduction strategies, recognising that more effective environmental management can contribute to sustained poverty reduction. Action is proceeding in four main areas: improving governance; enhancing the assets of the poor; improving the quality of growth; and reforming international and developed country policies. This broad agenda shows that the issue of environmental protection cannot be looked at in isolation, and that many decisions affecting the environment are not taken by those directly responsible for environmental issues.

Third World

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she is having with EU Ministers about improving its third world aid budget and the delivery of aid to those countries; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: I am in regular contact with EU Development Ministers to discuss how to improve the effectiveness of EC development assistance. Most recently, we met during the EU Development Council on 30 May to discuss reform of EC development assistance as well as the EU position for the upcoming World Summit on Sustainable Development.
	My Department is focusing its efforts on two broad objectives: improving the overall effectiveness of EC development assistance and increasing its poverty focus. We welcome the positive steps that have been taken to reform EC development assistance and are pressing the EC to pursue its reform efforts vigorously in order to implement the November 2000 EC Development Policy, which for the first time, makes poverty reduction the central objective of EC development programmes. We are working for agreement that a much greater share of EC aid should be allocated to low income countries where it will have the greatest impact on poverty reduction. In 2000, only 38 per cent. of EC aid was spent in low income countries compared to 70 per cent. in 1990.

Ethiopia

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she last met Government officials from Ethiopia to discuss the provision of development aid to that country; and if she will make a statement about the provision of development aid to Ethiopia.

Clare Short: I last met Prime Minister Meles in Gabarone in October 2001. A senior DFID delegation subsequently held development talks with the Ethiopian Government in Addis Ababa in February 2002. Following these talks we have continued the process of taking forward our development partnership with the Ethiopian Government, which will be informed by the Ethiopian Government's Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper, which we understand will be issued shortly.

Ethiopia

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much (a) emergency and (b) development aid the UK Government have provided to Ethiopia in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

Clare Short: Over the last 10 years my Department has provided the following bilateral development assistance to Ethiopia:
	
		Bilateral aid to Ethiopia -- 000
		
			   of which: 
			  DFID programme Humanitarian assistance 
		
		
			 199192 22,728 18,467 
			 199293 17,391 12,863 
			 199394 20,177 10,668 
			 199495 23,411 12,609 
			 199596 25,226 4,645 
			 199697 7,931 233 
			 199798 7,357 3,122 
			 199899 8,733 3,489 
			 19992000 6,969 3,076 
			 200001 16,194 13,380 
		
	
	Source:
	Statistics on International Development 199192 to 200001

Sudan

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the situation in southern Sudan.

Clare Short: In spite of renewed efforts to establish a lasting peace, fighting continues in many parts of southern Sudan. The humanitarian consequences for those affected by the conflict are devastating. The UK is supporting the latest round of IGAD peace talks in Nairobi this week through the DFID/FCO Sudan Unit and the UK Special Representative and with financial support to the IGAD Sudan secretariat. In addition to supporting the political process, we will continue to support the agencies and organisations in the field best placed to meet the humanitarian needs.

Sudan

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what (a) protocols and (b) treaties are in place to ensure access to southern Sudan by aid agencies for humanitarian assistance; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: Humanitarian access is based on a series of agreements dating from the 1988 Accords between the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) coalition partners and the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA). Operation Lifeline Sudan (OLS), agreed between the United Nations (UN), the Government of Sudan (GoS) and the SPLA followed this in 1989. OLS was based on unsigned informal agreements between UN officials and the GoS. In 1992, the UN Department for Humanitarian Affairs negotiated a new agreement with GoS and SPLA on access routes for humanitarian assistance. In 1993 the OLS Ground Rules were implemented. The Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD) achieved agreement in May 1994 on the principles for a negotiated end to the conflict (the Declaration of PrinciplesDoP). In addition to the DoP, an agreement on humanitarian access was also signed and ratified. The latter agreement remains the only signed access agreement between all the parties.

Sudan

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what flight bans are in place in the Sudan, in (a) Bahr el-Ghazal, (b) Eastern Equatoria and (c) Western Upper Nile; and what the impact is on access to humanitarian assistance.

Clare Short: Flight bans are in place in all three areas.
	In (a) Bahr el-Ghazal, the total of denied locations is 38 out of 63 sought (25 granted). 17 locations are denied as the Government of Sudan (GoS) says they are insecure and therefore not safe, plus a further 21 locations as GoS cannot be sure where they are as WFP/UN will not give them the required coordinates.
	In (b) Eastern Equatoria, the total denied is five out of 15 sought (10 granted). Two locations are denied as GoS says they are not secure, plus three more denied as GoS have not been given coordinates.
	In (c) Western Upper Nile (WUN), 13 locations are denied as GoS says they are not secure. 19 others are denied because no coordinates were provided and GoS says they cannot therefore verify the locations and give clearance. GoS has granted a further 45 clearances for WUN this week after representations were made by the United Nations: of these, 21 are new locations not requested by the UN.
	Flight bans limit the access to humanitarian assistance and have a negative impact on the populations affected. We continue to work to improve the situation.

Ministerial Meetings

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which Ministers and officials had meetings with representatives of (a) the Confederation of British Industry, (b) the Engineering Employees Federation, and (c) the Engineering Marine Training Authority during the last year; who they met; and what the subjects and outcomes of their discussions were.

Clare Short: We have no record of any meetings with these organisations over the period in question.

Afghanistan

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funding (a) her Department and (b) other G8 countries have (i) pledged for and (ii) spent on the return of refugee programmes in Afghanistan.

Clare Short: Since September 2001, my Department has contributed over 3 million to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) for their programme of assistance to Afghan refugees, and over 3.5 million to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) for assistance to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees to Afghanistan. We are also supporting a number of other humanitarian programmes which will help to create an environment for the sustainable return of both refugees and IDPs, including the United Nations-led programme of mine clearance and mine awareness in Afghanistan. We are currently considering what further support to provide for refugees, IDPs and returnees.
	At the Tokyo conference in January, international donors pledged funds for the overall reconstruction of Afghanistan, including humanitarian programmes. Pledges were not broken down by sector. Therefore we are not aware of specific amounts pledged by G8 nations for refugee return.

Afghanistan

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations her Department has made on the reduction of World Food Programme projects in Afghanistan.

Clare Short: My Department is liaising with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) as it further targets and amends its activities in line with the developing situation on the ground and the availability of resources. Since September 2001, we have contributed 9 million towards WFP's programmes in Afghanistan, and are currently considering what further support to provide.

Sri Lanka

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance she has promised Sri Lanka following her meeting with the Sri Lankan Prime Minister on 28 May.

Clare Short: I agreed to provide additional funds for quick impact, fast disbursing programmes that will help nurture and build confidence in the peace process. We now await proposals from the Sri Lanka Government. In addition, I offered support from my Department in applying lessons and experience from other countries emerging from conflict.

Departmental Expenditure Limit

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much and what proportion of the departmental expenditure limit for 200203 had been spent by 31 May; what the figures were for 200102; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: I refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury gave on 17 June 2002, Official Report (reference to follow when known).

Advertising Campaigns

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much was spent on press and advertising campaigns in 200102; and what the planned expenditure is for 200203.

Clare Short: My Department did not manage any campaigns of this kind during the period in question.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

Computers

Ashok Kumar: To ask the President of the Council what measures are (a) in place and (b) under discussion, in his Department in order to ensure compliance with the WEE Directive.

Robin Cook: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 12 June 2002, Official Report, column 1266W.

Modernisation

Graham Allen: To ask the President of the Council if he will make proposals to the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons that the oral questions to be tabled on a particular day should appear on the front page of the Order Paper.

Robin Cook: I will consider this suggestion in the light of the Procedure Committee's report on parliamentary questions.

Public Service Agreement Targets

John Bercow: To ask the President of the Council what has been the (a) cost and (b) saving from the pursuit of the Department's Public Service Agreement targets in each year since they were introduced.

Robin Cook: I refer the hon. Member to my answer on 21 March 2002, Official Report, column 514W.

Staff Numbers

John Bercow: To ask the President of the Council how many staff were employed by his Department on (a) 2 May 1997 and (b) 31 May 2002.

Robin Cook: Data are collected twice a year on 1 April and 1 October. Data for 1 April 2002 are currently being collected.
	I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office, on 13 June 2002.

Advertising Campaigns

John Bercow: To ask the President of the Council how much was spent on press and advertising campaigns in 200102; and what the planned expenditure is for 200203.

Robin Cook: No expenditure has been incurred by my Department on press and advertising campaigns in 200102. There is no planned expenditure for 200203.

Staff Training

John Bercow: To ask the President of the Council how much the Department has spent on staff training and development in each of the last five years.

Robin Cook: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			
		
		
			 199798 9,586.40 
			 199899 9,388.34 
			 19992000 14,462.87 
			 200001 11,305.69 
			 200102 16,362.78

Entertainment Costs

John Bercow: To ask the President of the Council what the cost was of the Department's 2001 staff Christmas party; and how many people attended.

Robin Cook: My Department does not host parties for staff.
	However, it has been the custom for the Leader of the House to host a Christmas reception to thank the staff who work in parliamentary sections in other Departments who provide advice for the business statement. Ministers, MPs and staff of the House and of my Department are also invited.
	The total cost was 1,843.87 and approximately 200 people attended.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Judicial Delays

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Solicitor-General what action has been taken relating to management information about committal proceedings which failed because the prosecution was not ready to proceed.

Harriet Harman: holding answer 10 June 2002
	Since April 2002, the Crown Prosecution Service has recorded details of discharged committals in its quarterly Adverse Outcomes report. This will show the reason for the outcome against a list of 22 categories, but will not capture, as a distinct category, those discharged committals in which the prosecution was not ready to proceed.
	The Compass Case Management system will be introduced in December 2003. This will provide a count of the number of discharged committals and an analysis of the reasons for the outcome. This will make available for the first time the number that occur because the prosecution is not ready to proceed.

Crown Prosecution Service

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Solicitor-General which CPS areas have been identified as sources of good practice; and what the nature is of their expertise.

Harriet Harman: holding answer 10 June 2002
	HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate reports on individual CPS areas and highlights good practice which might usefully be adopted by other areas. Individual area inspectorate reports are circulated to all Chief Crown Prosecutors.
	In addition, representatives of CPS HQ, areas, and the inspectorate meet to draw together identified good practice, which is then posted on the CPS intranet and also appears in the CPS weekly business publication.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Regional Organisation

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  which of the agencies and NDPBs sponsored by her Department have a regional organisation; and if she will list the counties and unitary authorities in each region in (a) 1997 and (b) 2002;
	(2)  what regional organisation her Department has; and if she will list the counties and unitary authorities in each region in (a) 1997 and (b) 2002.

Kim Howells: My Department does not have its own regional organisation, but works with and through the Government offices for the regions. Since summer 1999, one member of staff with the responsibility for my Department's agenda, has been based in each of the nine regional Government offices.
	In 1997, most regions had a gathering of cultural agencies such as arts, sport and heritage, but there was no forum which brought together wider cultural interests such as local government, regional development agencies and key cultural players. Since December 1999, each of the eight regions outside London has had a regional cultural consortium, sponsored by my Department, which brings together representatives of all cultural sectors.
	The following non-departmental public bodies sponsored by my Department have a regional organisation whose regional boundaries match those of the Government office regions: Sport England, English Heritage, Arts Council of England, New Opportunities Fund, The Community Fund and Awards for Alla joint lottery distributor programme. All have offices in each of the nine regions. In addition, the Film Council is in the process of bringing together regional screen organisations throughout England and they too will have an office in each region.
	The National Heritage Memorial Fund is in the process of opening up regional offices which should be operational by July. They will have an office in each region except that the south-east and London regions will both be based in the London office.
	The Independent Television Commission has four regional offices. The regions covered by these offices are as follows: north of England (this covers the north-west, north-east and Yorkshire Government office regions); midlands and east of England (this covers the west midlands; east midlands and east of England Government office regions as well as parts of Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire); south and south-west England and the Channel Islands (this covers the London, south-east and south-west Government office regions; excluding parts of Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Dorset and Somerset); Wales and the west of England (which includes parts of Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset).
	The English Tourism Council does not have a regional organisation of its own. However, much of its work is carried out by the 10 regional tourist boards, which are independent bodies. These are arranged as follows: Cumbria; east of England (this covers the east of England Government office region); heart of England (this covers the west midlands and east midlands Government office regions); London; Northumbria (this covers the north-east Government office region); north-west (this covers the north-west Government office regions except Cumbria); south-east of England (the counties of East and West Sussex, Kent and Surrey, and the unitary authorities of Brighton and Hove, and Medway); southern (the counties of Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, the unitary authorities of Bracknell Forest, Reading, Slough, West Berkshire, Windsor and Maidenhead, Wokingham, Portsmouth, Southampton, Isle of Wight, Milton Keynes, and East Dorset district); south-west (this covers the south-west Government office region, excluding the East Dorset district); Yorkshire (this covers the Yorkshire Government office region).
	I am arranging for a list of the counties and unitary authorities in each region in (a) 1997 and (b) 2002 to be placed in the House Library.

Performance Targets

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the performance targets that her Department, its agencies and non- departmental public bodies are required to meet, apart from those set out in the public service agreements for 1999 to 2002 and 2001 to 2004; and if she will specify for each target (a) who sets it and (b) who monitors achievement against it.

Kim Howells: In addition to the targets set out in the public service agreements (PSA), a number of targets, set and monitored by the Department, are in the Service Delivery Agreement underpinning the PSA. The Service Delivery Agreement may be obtained from the Library of the House and is also available on the DCMS website.
	Performance targets for the Royal Parks Agency and the Department's non-departmental public bodies are set out in three-year funding agreements. These targets are agreed between the Department and its sponsored bodies and jointly monitored. I am arranging to have the funding agreements placed in the Library of the House.
	Key targets for Lottery distributors are also agreed with the Department and jointly monitored. The targets appear in the distributors' Annual Reports and Accounts, which are available from the Library of the House.

Performance Targets

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what has been the (a) cost and (b) saving from the pursuit of the Department's Public Service Agreement targets in each year since they were introduced;
	(2)  what the (a) cost and (b) saving has been from the Department's pursuit of Service Delivery Agreement targets in each year since they were introduced.

Kim Howells: The Department's Public Service Agreement sets out the key outcomes it is committed to deliver with the resources provided, and its Service Delivery Agreement sets out the key steps towards delivery of those targets. Every year the Department publishes information on performance against its targets, including on value for money and on the resources it has used in its departmental report.

Departmental Expenditure Limit

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much and what proportion of the departmental expenditure limit for 200203 will be accounted for by staff costs; what the figures were for 200102; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: Information for 200203 is not available as the total for staff costs is dependent upon the outcome of pay negotiations. The figures for 200102 are available in the Department's 2002 Annual Report, Cm 5423, copies of which are available in the House of Commons Library.

Staff Training

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the Department has spent on staff training and development in each of the last five years.

Kim Howells: The Department has spent the following on training and development.
	
		
			 Financial year Sum () 
		
		
			 200102 388,397 
			 200001 309,832 
			 199900 348,692 
			 199899 311,514 
		
	
	Figures are provided on an accruals basis.
	Figures for the years before 1998 are not held centrally. Retrieving the information prior to that date would incur disproportionate cost.

School Sport

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much Sports Lottery funds has been allocated to capital sporting projects in state primary schools in each year; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: Sport England's data collection for lottery awards does not distinguish between primary and secondary schools. The total amounts awarded to state primary and secondary schools for capital projects are set out in the table.
	
		 
		
			 Financial year Total 
		
		
			 199596 13,316,057 
			 199697 12,117,208 
			 199798 22,270,791 
			 199899 24,197,506 
			 19992000 27,983,606 
			 200001 20,767,260 
			 200102 25,460,744 
			 200203 7,476,435 
			  
			 Total 153,589,607 
		
	
	In addition, Space for Sport and Arts is providing 130 million towards new or modernised sport and arts facilities in about 300 primary schools in deprived areas. Of this, 55 million is lottery money of which Sport England is contributing 25 million. The majority of building work will be under way during the financial year 200203.

School Sport

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the funding streams from the Government and the National Lottery available to secondary schools who wish to improve their sports facilities.

Kim Howells: The Government fund the provision of sports facilities in schools predominantly through Sport England and other non-departmental public bodies. The Community Capital Fund, one element of the Sport England lottery fund, has allocated 200 million to primary and secondary schools for over 350 schemes since 1995 to assist with projects such as facility development. In addition, the New Opportunities Fund (NOF) recently allocated 750 million (581 million in England) to LEAs across the country. Authorities are working with NOF and local organisations on the distribution of those funds to projects in primary and secondary schools designed to bring about a step-change in the provision of sporting facilities for young people and for the community.

School Sport

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many (a) school and (b) other playing fields have been sold since June 2001 (i) in England and (ii) broken down by constituency.

Richard Caborn: Data on the number of playing fields sold are not collected. Sport England do, however, monitor the number of planning applications concerning playing fields in their role as statutory consultee. The Government will shortly be publishing combined figures for (a) applications from schools submitted to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills for the disposal or change of use of school playing fields (which are already published monthly), and (b) figures from Sport England giving details of planning applications affecting playing fields which have been referred to them as statutory consultee (which are already published quarterly), along with (c) relevant data from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

School Sport

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many school sports co-ordinators are in place.

Richard Caborn: The Government are well on their way to meeting their target of 1,000 school sport co-ordinators by 2004, with 577 currently in place, benefiting 1.26 million pupils. Another 165 co-ordinators have been designated, making a total of 742 in post by September, and increasing the total number of pupils benefiting to 1.8 million.

School Sports Co-ordinators Scheme

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the School Sports Co-ordinators Scheme.

Kim Howells: The Government are well on their way to meeting their target of 1,000 School Sport Co-ordinators by 2004, with 577 currently in place, benefiting 1.26 million pupils. Another 165 Co-ordinators have been designated, making a total of 742 in post by September, and increasing the total number of pupils benefiting to 1.8 million.

Staff Numbers

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff were employed by her Department on (a) 2 May 1997 and (b) 31 May 2002.

Kim Howells: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office on 13 June 2002, Official Report, column 1402.

Advertising Campaigns

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was spent on press and advertising campaigns in 200102; and what the planned expenditure is for 200203.

Kim Howells: No press and advertising campaigns were undertaken in 200102 and none are planned for 200203.

Religious Broadcasters

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement regarding her policy with regard to allowing religious broadcasters to apply for (a) national analogue radio licences, (b) national digital sound programme licences, (c) analogue radio additional service licences, (d) local radio multiplex licences, (e) national radio multiplex licences, (f) all audiologue television licences, (g) national television multiplex licences and (h) local television multiplex licences.

Kim Howells: The Government's aim is to ensure that the limited spectrum available is distributed so as to satisfy as many viewers/listeners as possible, and to avoid giving one religion an unfair advantage over another so that everyone's beliefs are equally respected. The Government's position is set out in the document The draft Communications BillThe Policy which states that, where there is sufficient spectrum availability, restrictions on religious bodies holding licences will be removed (paragraph 9.3.3).
	This means that religious bodies can hold none of the licences referred to in the question. However, the Radio Authority, which licences all independent radio services in the UK, is currently given discretion under the Broadcasting Act 1990 to award local analogue, satellite and cable licences to religious bodies, subject to compliance with the authority's codes on News, Current Affairs and Programming; Advertising and Sponsorship; and its Ownership Guidelines, and the ITC can also award cable and satellite TV licences to religious organisations. The draft Bill increases the number of types of licences which religious bodies can hold by giving Ofcom discretion to award a digital local sound programme service and a digital additional service licence to religious bodies. Further clauses are now being drafted which will give Ofcom discretion to award religious bodies digital additional service licences for TV and radio, TV licences for digital programme services and restricted service licences.

Public Library Standard 18

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the annual cost to each London borough if they are to comply with public library standard 18.

Kim Howells: We are monitoring the application of the public library standards through the Annual Library Planning process. Analysis of the 2001 plans shows that nearly all authorities are using the introduction of the standards to plan for improvements in the quality of their library services but that, in many cases, authorities recognise that this will require them to direct more of their budgets into their library services than hitherto. Most authorities have shown that they will need to build this into their budgets for the financial years up to 200304. I shall continue to monitor the ability of authorities to increase their library service budgets through the Annual Library Plan process as, in many cases, authorities have clearly stated that their ability to meet the standards by 200304 is dependent on increases in the library budget.
	PLS 18, in common with the other public library standards, helps to define authorities' existing statutory obligations under the Public Library and Museums Act 1964 to provide library services that are comprehensive and efficient.

Public Library Standard 18

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what additional resources she has provided to local authorities with large book stocks to enable them to replenish their stocks in accordance with public library standard 18.

Kim Howells: Funding for public libraries is provided through the Environmental Protection and Cultural Services (EPCS) block administered by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Subvention to the EPCS was increased by 4.3 per cent. for 200203, a real terms increase of 1.7 per cent.
	PLS 18, in common with the other public library standards, helps to define authorities' existing statutory obligations under the Public Library and Museums Act 1964 to provide library services that are comprehensive and efficient.
	We are monitoring the application of the public library standards through the Annual Library Planning process. Analysis of the 2001 plans shows that nearly all authorities are using the introduction of the standards to plan for improvements in the quality of their library services but that, in many cases, authorities recognise that this will require them to direct more of their budgets into their library services than hitherto. It is for library authorities to ensure that they make the right allocation of resources to ensure the provision of a comprehensive and efficient service within the meaning of the Act.

Public Library Standard 18

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the impact of public library standard 18 on levels of book stocks.

Kim Howells: The public library standards have been introduced over a three year period, 200104, and, although we are monitoring the application of the standards each year through the Annual Library Planning process, it will not be possible to obtain an accurate picture of the impact of PLS 18 on stock levels until the end of 200304.
	The public library standards help to define authorities' existing statutory obligations under the Public Library and Museums Act 1964 to provide library services that are comprehensive and efficient.

Stationery

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was spent by her Department on stationery in (a) 199596, (b) 199697, (c) 199798, (d) 199899, (e) 19992000, (f) 200001 and (g) 200102; what suppliers were used in each of those years, and how much was spent per supplier; what tender processes were undertaken, and what the frequency was of the processes; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: Before 199899 no record was kept of the cost of specific office supplies such as stationery. The cost of stationery, in 199899 was 130,000, in 19992000 136,000, in 200001 it was 128,000 and in 200102 101,000. Stationery is purchased from a single supplier to achieve best value from volume purchasing. Contracts for the supply of goods and services are all subject to competitive tender and those for the supply of goods are normally for a period of three years, the last commencing in April 2001.

Inter-departmental Group on Sport

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will place copies of the minutes of the Inter-Departmental Group on Sport in the Library.

Kim Howells: The inter-ministerial group brings together Departments and other related bodies with an interest in sport. The group was set up so those attending could raise issues and float ideas in the knowledge that their contributions would remain confidential. To publish the minutes would inhibit the discussions and reduce the effectiveness of the group. I do not, therefore, intend to place the minutes of the group in the Library.

Fair Trade

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what work her Department will be undertaking to help promote the launch of the new universal fair trade mark later this year.

Kim Howells: The Department for Culture Media and Sport has no specific plans in respect of the launch of the mark but encourages all sponsored bodies, where the opportunities to further the aims of fair trade are greater, to provide support by using and marketing fair trade goods and promoting the trade mark.

Overseas Visitors

John Greenway: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the number of visitors to the UK from overseas (a) during the last three months and (b) in the same period, in (i) 2000 and (ii) 2001.

Kim Howells: Data are collected in terms of visits rather than visitors. These are shown in the table.
	
		Number of visits to the UK by overseas residents
		
			  Number (million) 
		
		
			 (a)  
			 February to April 2002 5.3 
			   
			 (b)  
			 (i) February to April 2001 5.3 
			 (ii) February to April 2000 5.6 
		
	
	Source:
	International Passenger Survey, Office for National Statistics

Broadband

Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what estimate she has made of the costs of ensuring that internet access in public libraries is broadband enabled; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what targets she has set for the roll out of broadband services in public libraries; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: 100 million of lottery funding has been invested in ICT technical infrastructure and equipment to create a network of ICT learning centres in more than 4,000 public libraries across the UK. The programme is on target to connect all public libraries to the internet, wherever practical, by the end of 2002, and based on the information we have received from local authorities we estimate that around 90 per cent. of these libraries will have broadband connections of 2 Mb or more. It is not possible to disaggregate the cost of providing broadband access to libraries, since it is the policy of many local authorities to procure broadband connectivity across the range of local services.

Ministerial Meetings

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which Ministers and officials had meetings with representatives of (a) the Confederation of British Industry, (b) the Engineering Employees Federation, and (c) the Engineering Marine Training Authority during the last year; who they met; and what the subjects and outcomes of their discussions were.

Richard Caborn: My ministerial colleagues and I have met many representatives from industry in the course of our duties since 8 June 2001 as part of the process of policy development and analysis. All such contacts are conducted in accordance with the Ministerial Code, the Civil Service Code and Guidance for Civil Servants: Contacts with Lobbyists. Some of these discussions take place on a confidential basis, and in order to preserve this confidentiality, it is not the normal practice of Government to release details of specific meetings with private individuals, organisations or companies.

Members of Parliament (Personal Data)

Eric Forth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what information is held by her Department on each hon. Member in relation to (a) personal relationships, both current and past, (b) financial status and dealings, (c) connections with companies and interest groups, (d) connections with Governments and (e) published works; and what was held in January 2002.

Kim Howells: My Department holds no such information, nor was any such information held in January 2002.

Libraries

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps are being taken to increase the number of libraries in the United Kingdom.

Kim Howells: It is for the 149 library authorities to make their own operational decisions about library provision within the requirements of the 1964 Public Libraries and Museums Act. The public library standards, including a target for the numbers of static libraries per household within an authority area, help define but do not increase those requirements.
	In January 2002, my Department wrote to all English local authorities, notifying them of the arrangements for entering bids for the private finance initiative credits held by DCMS by 31 May. No library bids were received from Coventry.

Film Productions

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps are being taken to attract more film productions to the United Kingdom.

Kim Howells: The Government seek to create an economic environment in which the film industry can flourish, including through tax relief.
	The British Film Commission (BFC), which is a division of the Film Council, is responsible (with the British Film Office in Los Angeles) for promoting the use of British locations, facilities and production personnel to overseas film and television producers.
	It delivers its objectives by working alongside a network of regional screen agencies to provide a comprehensive and free information service to international production executives. It compiles up-to-date information on all aspects of film production in the UK. The information is disseminated through its website, various marketing materials and by holding international seminars.
	Earlier this year, the BFC completed a major US marketing exercise in both Los Angeles and New York to encourage inward investment into the UK. 20 seminars were held on film financing, production and post- production. They were attended by representatives from each of the seven major Hollywood studios, as well as independent producers, lawyers and film financiers.
	Recent major productions attracted to the UK by the BFC include Band of Brothers, Chocolat, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (and sequel currently in pre-production), The Mummy Returns, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and the sequel currently in production, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Asylum Accommodation Centres

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will announce the (a) names of the successful bidder for the construction of asylum accommodation centres and (b) value of each contract awarded.

Beverley Hughes: We expect to be in a position to decide who will be selected to design, build and operate the first of the trial centres after the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill receives Royal Assent.
	Contracts have not yet been awarded.

Asylum Accommodation Centres

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 23 May, Ref 57343, when the first asylum accommodation centre will be open.

Beverley Hughes: Firm opening dates have yet to be finalised, and will depend upon such issues as planning consent, the nature of each site, and the design proposals.

Asylum Accommodation Centres

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the full criminal record of all those detained at Yarl's Wood Detention Centre was known to the (a) police, (b) Immigration Service and (c) contractors.

Beverley Hughes: The full criminal record of all those detained at Yarl's Wood Detention Centre would not have been known. It must be remembered that the overseas backgrounds of individualsincluding any criminal activitieswill not usually be known at the time of their detention. However, where such details are known, they are passed to the removal centre contractor if they indicate that the individual poses a particular risk.

Asylum Accommodation Centres

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the criminal record of those admitted to the proposed asylum accommodation centre at Throckmorton will be known to (a) the police, (b) the Immigration Service and (c) the contractor.

Beverley Hughes: While there is no direct relationship between asylum seekers and criminality, for security reasons, criminal record checks will be carried out. Where such checks reveal information, which is relevant to those involved in the management of the sites or to the police, should placement occur, this will be made available.

Asylum Accommodation Centres

Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if accommodation centres for asylum seekers will have a statutory obligation to (a) have a child protection policy and (b) have a designated member of staff with responsibility for child protection.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 10 June 2002
	We are discussing accommodation centres and child protection issues with the Department of Health.
	Accommodation centres will not be statutorily obliged to have a child protection policy, but we will require those operating the centres to have a policy in place and appropriate arrangements for putting it into action.
	Accommodation centres will come within the ambit of the Children Act 1989. Section 47 of that Act places a duty on a local authority to investigate if they have reasonable cause to suspect that a child who lives in their area is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm. In such circumstances, the authority has a duty to make such inquiries as they consider necessary to enable them to decide whether they should take any action to safeguard or promote the child's welfare.

Asylum Accommodation Centres

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department where on Throckmorton airfield he proposes to build the asylum accommodation centre.

Beverley Hughes: The planning notification to be submitted shortly will specify the suggested location for the proposed accommodation centre at Throckmorton.

Asylum Accommodation Centres

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements he is making to inform local communities in the area of sites proposed for asylum accommodation centres about these centres and to consult with them about their impact.

Beverley Hughes: I refer the hon. member to the reply my hon. Friend the Member for Wallasey (Angela Eagle) gave him on 3 February 2002, Official Report, column 460W.

Asylum Accommodation Centres

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what formal offer has been made to QinetiQ for the purchase of land for an asylum accommodation centre at Throckmorton; what the size of such offer is; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: Negotiations with QinetiQ are continuing, no formal offer has yet been made.

Asylum Accommodation Centres

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the nature of the sleeping arrangements planned for asylum accommodation centres is for (a) single men and (b) families; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: The nature of the sleeping arrangements will depend upon design proposals submitted by bidders in response to the procurement competition within certain parameters to be established by the Home Office. Those parameters will include the stipulation that families will be accommodated separately from single people.

Asylum Accommodation Centres

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 10 June 2002, Official Report, column 795W, Ref 57089, for what reason he does not consider it appropriate to put into the public domain details of sites which were not considered to merit detailed assessment as possible sites for asylum accommodation centres.

Beverley Hughes: We do not consider there to be any genuine public interest in disclosing sites which were dismissed at an early stage and were not subject to detailed assessment. The disclosure of information of this nature would harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion in our view. We have given details of the sites where detailed assessments have been taking place and we will do likewise in future.

Asylum Accommodation Centres

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is his policy to permit an asylum accommodation centre to be located close to a girls' school.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 13 June 2002
	All relevant factors will be considered when decisions are taken on the location of accommodation centres.

Asylum Accommodation Centres

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment his Department is making of the suitability of Mayfield College, East Sussex, as a potential asylum accommodation centre.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 13 June 2002
	None.

Asylum Accommodation Centres

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many additional asylum accommodation centres he estimates will be required; and what the anticipated timescale is for announcing their locations.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 13 June 2002
	On 29 October 2001, we announced our intention to provide 3,000 trial accommodation centre places. We have put into the public domain the location of all sites, which were considered to merit detailed assessment for the purpose of siting an accommodation centre and will continue to do so in the future.

Press Releases

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many press releases have been issued by his Department in each month of 2002.

Beverley Hughes: The information is as follows.
	
		
			  Home Office Prison Service 
		
		
			 January 29 5 
			 February 27 4 
			 March 31 4 
			 April 26 2 
			 May 33 4

Press Releases

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many press releases have been issued by his Department (a) in each month between May and December 1997 and (b) in each year from 1998 to 2001 inclusive.

Beverley Hughes: (a) The number of press releases issued by the Home Department between May and December 1997 was:
	
		
			  Number issued 
		
		
			 May 16 
			 June 24 
			 July 43 
			 August 19 
			 September 31 
			 October 59 
			 November 40 
			 December 39 
		
	
	In addition, the Prison Service issued 47 press releases during this period but a monthly breakdown is not available.
	(b) The number of press releases issued in each year from 1998 to 2001 inclusive was:
	
		
			   1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Home Office 512 450 422 336 
			 Prison Service 75 78 93 91 
			 Probation Inspectorate 3  11 14 
			 Prison Inspectorate 7 39 38 59 
			 Police Inspectorate   1 2 
			 Fire Inspectorate3

Drug Treatment

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the (a) cost and (b) accuracy of the methods used for testing for drug abuse; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: holding answer 23 May 2002
	Information on the costs and accuracy of the various methods used for testing drug abuse is not held centrally. To answer this question would incur disproportionate costs.
	The Pilot Programme for testing for drug misuse under the provisions of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 introduced the use of oral fluid (saliva) on-site screening tests, following an evaluation study by the Forensic Science Service. This found that oral fluid provided an effective and accurate alternative to urine for screening for heroine and cocaine.

Departmental Sponsors

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what the duties are of hon. Members appointed as sponsors to his Department; and what assistance is given by officials in his Department to them in carrying out these duties;
	(2)  which hon. Members have been appointed as sponsors to his Department since 7 June 2001; and when each of them were appointed.

David Blunkett: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith) on 10 June 2002, Official Report, column 809W.

Correspondence

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter of 29 January from the hon. Member for West Chelmsford concerning Mr. Wong of Chelmsford.

Beverley Hughes: I wrote to the hon. Member on 7 June 2002. I am sorry he did not receive an earlier response.

Correspondence

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department (a) received the letter of 15 October 2001 from the hon. Member for Manchester Central, regarding Dr ECC reference PO18117/01, (b) granted a residence permit to Dr ECC and leave to remain to Ms LOR and daughter and (c) replied to the hon. Member for Manchester Central; and if he will give the reasons for the delay in resolving this case.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 13 June 2002
	The letter of 15 October 2001 was received by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate on 18 October 2001. Dr ECC was granted a residence permit and leave to remain was granted to Ms LOR and her daughter on 29 December 2001.
	My right hon. and noble Friend, the former Minister of State at Home Office (Lord Rooker) wrote to my hon. friend on 29 April 2002. I am sorry that there was a delay in replying.

Correspondence

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for West Chelmsford of 28 February, Ref 4398/2.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 13 June 2002
	I wrote to the hon. Member on 7 June 2002. I am sorry the delay in replying.

Animal Research

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he received the report of the Expert Group on Efficient Regulation concerning the licensing of animal research in the UK; when he formally responded to the report; and what steps the Government have taken to improve the efficiency of the licensing process.

Bob Ainsworth: We received a copy of the report of the Expert Group on Efficient Regulation on 8 October 2001 and a formal response was sent to the Chairman of the Expert Group on 5 November 2001. This noted that the report did not suggest any changes in the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and advised that we would look carefully at its recommendations regarding the administration of the 1986 Act. A further response will be sent when we have completed consideration of those recommendations.
	Separately to our consideration of the Expert Group report, we have taken a number of recent steps to improve the efficiency of the licensing of scientific procedures under the 1986 Act, mainly arising from discussions conducted in 20002001 under the auspices of the Prime Minister's Pharmaceutical Industry Competitiveness Task Force. A review of the ethical review process was completed in November 2001 and best practice for more efficient working of the process is now being widely disseminated around establishments. New guidance has also been issued on completing project licence application forms, and industry has been given information on errors commonly found in licence application forms, which should help to reduce the number of applications submitted with such errors in future, and therefore reduce delays.
	Most importantly, extra resources are starting to be devoted to the assessment and processing of licence applications. These include development of a new computer system, which is expected to enable electronic processing of all licence applications, in due course. There will also, as announced in March 2001, be a significant increase in the size of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate from 21 inspectors to 33 by March 2004. We have also improved the relevant section of the Home Office website to provide easier access for applicants and licence holders to reference documents and best practice material. The new website will go live shortly.

Supply Teachers

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department has taken to speed up the process of granting work permits to supply agencies and supply teachers.

Beverley Hughes: The current work permit policy excludes issuing work permits to recruitment agencies, employment agencies and other similar businesses. However, as part of a review of this specific issue, Work Permits UK (WP(UK)) who administer the work permit arrangements, are currently undertaking a formal consultation, which began on 18 March 2002, with customers and stakeholders as to whether the scope of the work permit arrangements should be extended to agencies. The consultation ended on 14 June 2002.
	In conjunction with the consultation, WP (UK) are currently piloting a scheme which allows agencies within the education sector, subject to certain criteria, to apply for work permits for teachers. The cases are processed within one day of being received. The results of this pilot will be fed into the formal agency review.
	I can assure my hon. Friend that I will give swift consideration to the opinions expressed in the consultation and I am hoping to announce a decision on the outcome by September 2002.

Age Discrimination

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his Department enforces a maximum retirement age of most staff; and whether it has a policy of not considering applications for employment by persons over a particular age, and those ages.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 10 June 2002
	The normal retirement age for non-industrial staff Home Office staff is 60 and for industrial staff 65. The Department has recently reviewed its age retirement policy and from 1 April 2002 all non-industrial staff up to Grade 6 throughout the Home Office (including the agencies but excluding the Prison Service) have the option to retire at any point between the ages of 60 and 65.
	The Prison Service is currently carrying out its own separate formal review of age retirement policy.
	The Home Office has also revised its recruitment policy from 1 April 2002 to allow for the recruitment of staff up to the age of 64, subject to their meeting normal standards of health. Provided that there is an expectation of a reasonable period of employment and a return on recruitment and training, the primary criterion for selection will be the ability of a candidate to carry out the duties of the vacant post.

Commission for Racial Equality

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last met the chairman of the CRE; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary last met with the chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality, Gurbux Singh, on 29 May 2002. They have regular meetings to keep each other updated on issues of current and mutual interest with regard to race relations and equality. They also met on other occasions during the year.

Performance Targets

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the performance targets that his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are required to meet, apart from those set out in the public service agreements for 1999 to 2002 and 2001 to 2004; and if he will specify for each target (a) who sets it and (b) who monitors achievement against it.

Beverley Hughes: The supporting targets to the public service agreements (PSAs) are the service delivery agreements (SDAs). These are listed in full alongside the PSAs they support on the Home Office Website (www.homeoffice.gov.uk). These were set during the Spending Review process in consultation with Her Majesty's Treasury and key stakeholders. These are reported on regularly internally and on a quarterly basis to Her Majesty's Treasury.
	Other Home Office targets are listed in the published Home Office Business Plan, which can also be viewed in full on our website. The Business Plan for 200203 will be published on the 13 June. Progress on targets listed in here, that are not PSAs and SDAs, is reported to the Permanent Secretary and the Home Office Group Executive Board on a regular basis. The Business Plan targets are set in relation to the agreed PSA and SDA targets and also in consultation with Directors and key stakeholders within the core Home Office and within agencies, NDPBs and local delivery areas. In addition, as part of the regular stocktake process between my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and my right hon. friend the Prime Minister, we provide a progress report on specific targets to the Prime Minister's Delivery Unit.
	Due to the number of additional targets that are contained within the SDA and the Business Plan, it is not possible to list them all here.

Asylum Seekers

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average delay was between disposal of the appeal as defined in section 94(4) of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 and issue of papers granting leave to enter or remain as a refugee with respect to persons who won their asylum appeals in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: The information requested is not available and could only be obtained by examination of individual case records thereby incurring a disproportionate cost.

Asylum Seekers

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers were in prisons run by the Scottish Prison Service, broken down by establishment, on 1 May; and how many are being held.

Beverley Hughes: The latest available data for asylum detainees are for 30 March 2002. At that date there were no asylum seekers detained solely under Immigration Act powers in Scottish prisons. Data for asylum seekers charged or convicted of a criminal offence are not available.
	When detention is necessary, the Government are committed to pursuing a strategy of detaining both immigration offenders and asylum seekers in dedicated removal centres. Prisons are used for a small number of detainees who cannot be managed within the immigration removal estate.
	Information on Immigration Act detainees as at 29 June 2002 will be published on 30 August 2002 on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/ rds/immigration1.html.

Leave to Remain

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for leave to remain in the United Kingdom were outstanding at the end of each (a) month since June 2001 and (b) June since 1997.

Beverley Hughes: Statistics on the number of outstanding applications for leave to remain are not currently available.

Refugee Applications

Tom Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many residents of Glasgow, Cathcart constituency are awaiting a decision on their application for refugee status;
	(2)  how many residents of Glasgow are awaiting a decision on their application for refugee status.

Beverley Hughes: Asylum applications data are not available at regional level except by port (for those applications made at portthese accounted for 36 per cent. of applications in 2001). Corresponding information on initial decision outcomes and cases outstanding relating to persons in particular areas of the United Kingdom is also unavailable. The requested information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case records.

Animal Experiments

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how much public money the Government have invested in the marmoset experiment programme at Cambridge University; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  whether (a) food and (b) water deprivation were part of the experiments carried out on marmosets at Cambridge University;
	(3)  how many marmosets have been experimented on at Cambridge University; what the tests were designed to achieve; and how successful the tests were;
	(4)  what steps he took to ensure that the marmosets subject to experimentation procedures at Cambridge University were (a) adequately supervised and (b) kept in conditions consistent with their physiological and behavioural needs.

Bob Ainsworth: holding answer 13 June 2002
	I will write to the hon. Member.

Prison Population

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of the percentage change in the (a) prison population and (b) the number of notifiable offences in (i) 1979 to 1994, (ii) 1994 to 1999 and (iii) 1999 to 2002; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The percentage changes over the requested time periods for England and Wales are given in the table.
	
		Percentage 
		
			   Change in average prison population Change in number of notifiable offences(30) 
		
		
			 1979 to 1994 +15.4 +107.1 
			 1994 to 19992000 +32.8 +0.9 
			 199900 to 200001 -0.5 -2.5 
			 200001 to 200102 +4.6 (31) 
		
	
	(30) Data showing the number of notifiable offences has been collected for financial years since 1999, and is shown as such. Prison population data has been given to match.
	(31) Not available.
	The percentage change in the average prison population from 1999 to 30 April 2002 (latest available data) was 9 per cent. The equivalent data are not available for the number of notifiable offences.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Baton Rounds

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many baton rounds were discharged by the British Army (a) in each year since 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2002 and (b) from 1 April 2002 to 24 May 2002.

Adam Ingram: I have been asked to reply.
	The number of baton rounds fired by the Army since 1 April 1999 are set out in the table.
	
		
			 Year Baton rounds fired 
		
		
			 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000 0 
			 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001 6 
			 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002 15 
			 1 April 2002 to 24 May 2002 14

Baton Rounds

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the guidelines under which the British Army operates when firing baton rounds in their support of PSNI operations.

Adam Ingram: I have been asked to reply.
	The armed forces are deployed to Northern Ireland to provide military support to the Police Service of Northern Ireland, which has primacy for security matters in the Province. Soldiers carry out their role using the same practices and procedures that are applicable to the rest of the British Army wherever they may be deployed in the world. While these practices and procedures may be different to those of the police, they are of a commensurate standard.
	There are differences between the guidelines for the police and the Army on the use of baton rounds which stem entirely from the differences in their respective operational structures and practices. There are no plans to bring the guidelines exactly into line with the regime governing the use of those equipments by the police.
	Soldiers are trained in the use of baton guns and when deployed are issued with guidelines about their use. Baton rounds may be fired, if authorised by the Army commander at the scene, when absolutely necessary to protect against physical violence. However, in exceptional circumstances where a soldier is required to act in self defence the use of a baton round does not require the commander's authority, but the soldier must be satisfied that the force used is proportionate to the threat. In all circumstances soldiers are trained to use no more force than is absolutely necessary.
	If a baton round is fired, a Baton Log Report, giving details of the incident, is completed and forwarded, through the chain of command, to HQNI. If a member of the public wishes to lodge a formal complaint about the Army firing a baton round this can be done through the police who will conduct an investigation.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Pensions

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will report progress on the requirements for reporting by third party administrators and insurers of pension schemes without trustees.

Ian McCartney: From 1 April 2002, we introduced a range of measures to help speed up the process of winding-up pension schemes and to increase the accountability of those involved in running schemes. These measures include a requirement for those involved in the administration of pension schemes to report to the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority within 1 month of becoming aware that a scheme has no trustees.
	As at 14 June 2002, 340 reports had been received by the Authority. These are under investigation.

Local Government Councillors

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what impact being an elected local government councillor has on an individual's ability to claim incapacity benefit; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Brown: Incapacity benefit is intended for people who are unable to work due to their illness or disability. Benefit is not therefore normally payable to people who work and receive an income.
	There is, however, an exception for local authority councillors. This special provision recognises the particular obligations placed on councillors by disregarding all work carried out in connection with their elected office in deciding entitlement to incapacity benefit. Any allowances paid are only taken into account if they exceed the permitted work rules limit of 66.00 in any week. In this event, benefit is reduced by the amount that the allowance exceeds the limit.

Overseas Patients (Benefit Entitlement)

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if it is his policy to treat persons sent abroad for hospital or other medical treatment under the National Health Service as having uninterrupted residence in the United Kingdom as regards their entitlement to benefits; and in what circumstances in relation to health condition and country involved such treatment extends to those seeking overseas treatment in the private sector.

Malcolm Wicks: As announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Pensions on 23 May 2002, Official Report, column 461, people in receipt of Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance or the new Pension Credit who travel abroad for medical treatment funded by the National Health Service will be treated as being resident in the United Kingdom.
	For all other benefits, and for those who go overseas to seek private medical treatment, the existing rules on periods of temporary absence abroad will continue to apply.

Universal Bank

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when it will be possible for benefit recipients to open accounts with the proposed universal bank.

Malcolm Wicks: Introduction of universal banking services by the Post Office is a matter for them. They tell us they are on schedule for introduction in April 2003.

Permitted Work Scheme

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent representations he has received on the implications and operation of the new permitted work scheme; how many (a) gainers and (b) losers she estimates there are (i) in this scheme and (ii) the previous therapeutic earnings arrangements; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Brown: We consulted widely on the permitted work rules for people receiving incapacity benefits and the new arrangements which took effect from 8 April have been generally welcomed by disability organisations.
	We want to give people on these benefits the opportunity to ease their way back into work without it affecting their benefit. Under the old rules, people had to show that the work would be beneficial to their medical condition. This was sometimes difficult to prove. The new rules help to open up employment opportunities for people of working age claiming a benefit because of their illness or disability. Both therapeutic work and the new permitted work rules allow people to try out some work without losing benefit.
	We estimate that between 27,000 and 54,000 people receiving an incapacity benefit were undertaking therapeutic work at 8 April. People already doing therapeutic work when the rules changed can carry on doing it until April 2003, after which they can apply to do permitted work and will be subject to the new permitted work rules. These allow work for 16 hours a week on average and earnings of up to 66 a week for a 26 week period which can be extended for a further 26 weeks in certain circumstances.
	We anticipate that the numbers doing permitted work will increase to around 70,000 in the first year of the new scheme and to around 110,000 over the next four years. In addition everyone receiving an incapacity benefit will be able to earn up to 20 a week indefinitely.
	These changes, together with our other measures to support people in finding suitable work, will help more people to move off benefits and into employment.

Benefit Payments

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many persons in receipt of benefits, other than retirement pension, in each parliamentary constituency in (a) Scotland and (b) Wales receive payment of their benefits (i) through local sub-post offices and (ii) directly into their bank accounts.

Malcolm Wicks: Information on how many persons in receipt of benefits other than Retirement Pension in each parliamentary constituency in Scotland and Wales is only available for certain benefits, and this has been placed in the Library.

Correspondence

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will reply to the letter of 31 December 2001 from the hon. Member for Torbay in response to his letter ref MOS(W)01/0038.

Nick Brown: I replied to the hon. Member on 14 June.

Remploy

Stephen Pound: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many firms of external consultants have been engaged by Remploy between April 2001 and March 2002; and if he will list them;
	(2)  which firms of consultants are engaged by Remploy;
	(3)  for what purposes consultants have been engaged by Remploy in the past 12 months;
	(4)  what the total cost is for services provided by consultants engaged by Remploy over the past 12 months, broken down by (a) consultancy firm and (b) individual projects.

Maria Eagle: In the period April 2001 to March 2002, Remploy has engaged 13 sets of consultants from 11 firms at a cost of 723,000. This represents 0.3 per cent. of Remploy's turnover in that year. The consultants were engaged to assist Remploy in the delivery of its modernisation strategy. Remploy currently has no consultancy support.
	The further information requested is in the table.
	
		
			 Consultant Project details Cost () 
		
		
			 OCP(32) Refocus on growth areas/key accounts and develop a flatter organisational structure/ reduced level of management layers. 193,000 
			 OCP(32) A separate piece of work to reorganise Interwork into a more efficient, flatter structure better able to deliver WORKSTEP support and to enable more people to progress to unsupported jobs outside of Remploy. 137,000 
			 Peter Whittaker/Russam GSM Refocusing packaging project to encourage growth of the business. 25,000 
			 Ray Emptage Improve the business planning process and help Remploy become more market focused in looking at its skills and strengths/abilities. Involved an in-depth study of market places to identify new areas of business and strategies to strengthen market penetration. 87,000 
			 Flaxman Bros Recommend site improvements at Barking. 10,000 
			 Paul Clark Recycling project, developing a new area of business. 31,000 
			 Life Cycle Solutions Recycling project, related to the above. 2,000 
			 Deloitte Touche(33) Improving financial control systems in furniture business. 6,000 
			 Deloitte Touche(33) Developing operational systems to support delivery of Interwork. 26,000 
			 Ashridge Productivity and continuous improvement project aimed at removing bottlenecks and barriersprocess and attitudinal. A team of Remploy people has been trained in Ashridge methodology and is rolling out the programme. This is improving significantly employee involvement, morale and productivity in those sites where the programme has been run. 172,000 
			 Bryan Harrison Developing new areas of business for Interworklinks with NHS. 2,000 
			 Fulcrum Property portfolio review. 6,000 
			 Quantum Edge Developing new processes for the WORKSTEP programmedevelopment plans and profiling. 26,000 
			   
			 Total  723,000 
		
	
	(32) Organisation, Consulting Partnership
	(33) Remploy's external auditors

Child Support Agency

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what the average time is that the Child Support Agency has taken to produce a substantive reply to correspondence in the last 12 months for which figures are available;
	(2)  what steps have been taken to guarantee a response from the Child Support Agency to a correspondent within five working days.

Malcolm Wicks: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Doug Smith to Mr. Mark Todd, dated 17 June 2002
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in replying to your recent Parliamentary Questions about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply by me.
	You ask two questions of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions:
	what the average time the Child Support Agency has taken to produce a substantive reply to correspondence in the last 12 months for which figures are available is; and
	what steps have been taken to guarantee a response from the Child Support Agency to a correspondent within five working days.
	I am sorry but information is not gathered in the format you have requested.
	The 2001/2002 target for customer correspondence was to reply to 70% of correspondence within 10 days. In the event 82% of correspondence was replied to within 10 days.
	The Child Support Reform Programme is intended to create a step improvement in the level of service provided to customers. This is a large undertaking and its implementation will be the prime focus of the Agency in the coming year. Against that background we are not, in the short term, looking to improve the timeliness of our responses to correspondence.
	I hope this is helpful.

Press Releases

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many press releases have been issued by his Department in each month of 2002.

Nick Brown: The information is as follows.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 January 22 
			 February 32 
			 March 33 
			 April 22 
			 May 1 to date 27

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Computers

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures are (a) in place and (b) under discussion in his Department in order to ensure compliance with the WEE directive.

Denis MacShane: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State (Energy) at the Department of Trade and Industry on 12 June 2002, Official Report, column 1266W.

Departmental Expenditure Limit

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much and what proportion of the departmental expenditure limit for 200203 will be accounted for by staff costs; what the figures were for 200102; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Resource DEL (departmental expenditure limit) for 200203 is 1,318,597,000. Due to pay negotiations we are unable to say how much of that we expect to be attributed to staff costs. Comparative provisional outturn figures for 200102 show a Resource DEL of 1,268,738,000, of which 316,811,000 or 24.97 per cent. represents the provisional outturn for staff costs. The figure for staff costs includes the cost of locally engaged staff overseas.

Advertising Campaigns

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent on press and advertising campaigns in 200102; and what the planned expenditure is for 200203.

Denis MacShane: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 19 March 2002, Official Report, column 199W.
	We have no press and advertising campaigns planned for the United Kingdom in 200203. We intend to print two public information leaflets on Britain and the European Union at a total cost of approximately 4,000.

Performance Targets

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what has been the (a) cost and (b) saving from the pursuit of the Department's Public Service Agreement targets in each year since they were introduced;
	(2)  what the (a) cost and (b) saving has been from the Department's pursuit of Service Delivery Agreement targets in each year since they were introduced.

Denis MacShane: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Public Service Agreement sets out the key outcomes it is committed to deliver with the resources provided, and its Service Delivery Agreement sets out the key steps towards delivery of those targets. Every year the Foreign and Commonwealth Office publishes performance against its targets, including on value for money and the resources it has used in its departmental report.

BAE Systems

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings his Department has had with representatives of BAE Systems since June 2001.

Denis MacShane: Officials and Ministers at the FCO frequently meet representatives of BAES and other British businesses with major overseas interests.

Kashmir

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the number of UK citizens involved in terrorist groups in Kashmir; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: This country should not be used as a base for supporting terrorism overseas. The Terrorism Act 2000 (which entered into force in February 2001) is designed to help the UK police and courts take effective action against those who seek to plan, carry out or support terrorism from or in the UK.
	We have proscribed three Kashmiri terrorist groups. Membership of these groups and support for their activities are criminal offences in the United Kingdom and we will continue to take action to prevent these groups from fund-raising or recruiting here.

Chemical Weapons

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Thurrock (Andrew Mackinlay) of 21 May 2002, Official Report, column 261W, on the OPCW, if he will make a statement on the financial and administrative management differences referred to.

Mike O'Brien: We understood the main financial and administrative differences to be:
	(a) The failure of the OPCW Secretariat to implement the Financial Regulations in 2000, leading to expenditure exceeding income by 2.5 million.
	(b) Presentation by the Secretariat of incomplete and occasionally inaccurate information on the financial situation in 2001.
	(c) The drastic cuts in the operational programme intended to resolve the 2001 financial situation, before the scale of the problem was clear and the options evaluated.
	(d) Presentation of unrealistic budgetary proposals, over a number of years, that required extensive revision.
	(e) The handling of a staff grading review which led to legal action at the ILO Administrative Tribunal, and the handling of action subsequent to the ILO judgment.

Chemical Weapons

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Thurrock (Andrew Mackinlay) of 21 May 2002, Official Report, columns 26162W, on the OPCW, if he will list the evident shortcomings referred to.

Mike O'Brien: The shortcomings relate to the failure to comply with the OPCW financial regulations. These regulations require the Director-General to prudently manage appropriations . . . to ensure that expenditures can be kept within funds available. Expenditure in 2000 exceeded income by 2.5 million. The OPCW external auditor's report on the 2000 financial statements confirmed that these provisions had not been complied with and recommended corrective action. The external auditor also drew attention to the failure to comply with regulations governing transfers of funds between appropriations, and recommended action to minimise excessive use of transfers.

Chemical Weapons

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 24 May 2002, Official Report, column 603W, if he will make a statement on (a) the views expressed by the members of the OPCW represented on the Executive Council, and (b) the views expressed by the UK at that time.

Mike O'Brien: A significant number of the members of the Executive Council expressed the view that they had lost confidence in the Director-General. As a result, the UK concluded that it would be in the best interests of the OPCW and the Chemical Weapons Convention if the Director-General were to step down voluntarily to make way for someone who could enjoy the full confidence of all the members of the organisation. The Director-General was informed of the UK's position prior to the vote of no confidence at the Executive Council meeting in March.

MOX Shipments

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what communications Her Majesty's Government have received from the New Zealand Government in respect of the return shipment of substandard MOX plutonium fuel from Japan to BNFL Sellafield.

Denis MacShane: No communications have been received from the New Zealand Government on this issue.

MOX Shipments

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have received from (a) other states and (b) non-governmental organisations in respect of the shipment of rejected MOX plutonium fuel from Japan back to Sellafield.

Denis MacShane: Her Majesty's Government have received representations from Chile and the Republic of Mauritius, and from Greenpeace.

Greece

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which members of the Greek Government have visited the United Kingdom in the past two months in an official capacity; and what discussions the Government have had with visiting members of the Greek Government.

Peter Hain: The Greek Minister for Defence, Mr. Papantoniou, visited the UK on 8 and 9 May. He met my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence. They discussed a number of bilateral and multilateral issues. The Greek Deputy Minister for Transport, Dr. Spyros Vougias, visited the UK from 28 to 31 May, but his programme did not involve Ministers.

Mrs. Sonia Gandhi

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his discussions with Mrs. Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi.

Mike O'Brien: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met Sonia Gandhi (leader of the Indian Congress Party in opposition) during his India visit on 29 May. They had a constructive and useful discussion focusing on the current high tensions between India and Pakistan.

Human Rights

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries the UK delegation to the Human Rights Commission in Geneva has (a) voted for and (b) voted against with regard to a visit by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: In accordance with her mandate established by the UN General Assembly, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, has a central role to play in ensuring that human rights are fully integrated in the work of the UN. Mrs. Robinson determines her own travel programme. Since she took office in 1997, she has visited a large number of countries in all regions of the world at the invitation of their Governments or other organisations (eg to attend a conference). It is rare for country resolutions at the Commission on Human Rights to include provision for a visit by the high commissioner. When that is the case, the UK voting position is determined by the merit of the resolution.

Self-government

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the status accorded by the United Nations to (a) Ceuta, (b) Melilla and (c) Gibraltar.

Denis MacShane: For the purposes of Article 73 of the United Nations Charter, Gibraltar appears on the list of territories which have not yet attained a full measure of self-government. Ceuta and Melilla do not appear on this list, and have not been considered by the UN to be non-self-governing territories.

General Affairs Council

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the prospects for reform of the common agricultural policy in the light of the conclusions reached at the General Affairs Council at Luxembourg on 10 June.

Peter Hain: holding answer 17 June 2002
	The General Affairs Council on 10 June discussed the enlargement of the European Union. It did not reach any formal conclusions.
	Along with Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden, the UK wants to put to one side the question of extending direct payments to the candidates for farming until later in the enlargement negotiations. Most European Union member states are content with this proposal.
	Reform of the common agricultural policy was not on the agenda at the General Affairs Council. Her Majesty's Government consider that the Commission's on the mid-term review of the common agricultural policy, due in mid-July, should make a substantive contribution to the process of reform of the common agricultural policy. Our objectives for reform are well known and are shared with a growing number of EU member states. We believe that the reform of the common agricultural policy should take place in parallel with, but not be a pre-condition for, enlargement.

Visitors' Liaison Officers

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many visitors' liaison officers were dismissed from their posts in each year since 1990.

Denis MacShane: As stated in my reply to the hon. Member on 26 March 2002, Official Report, column 815W, liaison officers are employed freelance, therefore the question of dismissal does not arise.

Iraq

Khalid Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what goods on the Military List have recently been approved for export to Iraq.

Denis MacShane: Following consultation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence, the Department for Trade and Industry recently approved two licences for the export to Iraq of protective de-mining vests, which appear on the Military List, for use by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) de-mining team in Iraq.
	The UN Iraq Sanctions Committee approved this export to Iraq under the Oil for Food programme (OFF). Under OFF, Iraq is allowed to export unlimited quantities of oil to fund the purchase of humanitarian goods. The export is consistent with the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria.

Iraq

Robert Wareing: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has collated on the prevention of medical supplies and medical journals from entering Iraq by the United Nations Sanctions Committee.

Mike O'Brien: Medical journals and medicines are not prevented from entering Iraq by the UN Sanctions Committee. Other medical supplies are only very rarely denied where there is real concern that they will be abused for military-related purposes.

European Youth Convention

Tom Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who will represent the United Kingdom at the Youth Convention on the Future of Europe.

Peter Hain: The Youth Convention is an initiative proposed by Valery Giscard d'Estaing, President of the European Convention, to involve young people in the 'Future of Europe' debate. Representatives nominated by member states and accession countries, and the European Parliament, will hold a plenary session on 910 July, before reporting to the convention on 1112 July.
	The UK's delegation has six members. Three were selected by a national essay competition, for which there was over 80 entries, organised jointly by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and The Independent: Claire McCarthy, Miles Kemp and Carina Dunkerly. Three others were appointed by the main UK political parties represented at the convention. They are Blair McDougall (Labour); Sam Dobbyn (Conservative); and Alison Goldsworthy (Liberal Democrat).

Special Advisers

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 10 June 2001, to the hon. Member for Chichester (Mr. Tyne), Official Report, column 816W, on special advisers, what the accommodation and subsistence costs were for each trip; if those costs are included in the figures in the answer; and what the (a) starting point, (b) means of transport, (c) destination, (d) overnight accommodation and (e) point of return were of his predecessor's special adviser's trip to Montenegro on 24/25 April 2001.

Jack Straw: The Montenegro visit started and ended in London; Dr. Williams flew by RAF aircraft and was accommodated by British forces. The full breakdown for trips listed in my answer of 10 June is:
	
		 
		
			   Destination  Means of transport Cost of transport () Accommodation cost () Subsistence cost () Total () 
		
		
			 Michael Williams   
			 45 April 2001 Belgrade and Skopje RAF flight  150.06 32.00 182.06 
			 2425 April 2001 Montenegro RAF flight  (34) 6.37 6.37 
			 30 August 2001 Macedonia (day trip) RAF flight  n/a n/a  
			 56 September 2001 Abuja RAF flight  314.29 78.00 392.29 
			 1718 October 2001 Luxembourg and Turkey RAF flight  (35) 33.74 33.74 
			 914 November 2001 New York Flight 2,645.50 c.670.00 c.300.00 c.3,615.50 
			 2223 November 2001 Iran and Pakistan RAF flight  115.58 19.52 135.00 
			 2123 January 2002 Congo, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi Flight(36)  197.90 99.06 296.96 
			 2628 February 2002 India Flight 3,352.81 c.50.00 22.36 3,425.17 
			
			 Ed Owen   
			 11 June 2001 Luxembourg (day trip) RAF flight  n/a 12.43 12.43 
			 9 July 2001 Paris (day trip) RAF flight  n/a n/a  
			 1112 July 2001 Washington Flight 4,346.80 151.82 129.90 4,628.52 
			 1718 July 2001 Brussels Eurostar 380.00 (37) n/a 380.00 
			 2427 September 2001 Jordan, Iran, Israel, Palestinian Authority and Egypt RAF flight  200.66 97.18 297.84 
			 2324 October 2001 Washington Flight 3,048.70 149.17 79.00 3,276.87 
			 1920 November 2001 Brussels and Barcelona RAF flight  52.00 74.19 126.19 
			 67 December 2001 Gibraltar Flight 852.40 (38) 20.00 872.40 
			 31 January to 2 February 2002 Washington Flight 4,095.90 307.14 132.32 4,537.36 
			 1216 February 2002 Turkey, Israel, Palestinian Authority and Afghanistan RAF and charter flights  391.36 71.00 462.36 
			 21 February 2002 The Hague (day trip) RAF flight  n/a n/a  
		
	
	(34) British Forces accommodation
	(35) Ambassador's residence
	(36) French Foreign Minister's official aircraft
	(37) Counsellor, UK Representative
	(38) Governor's residence

Nagorno-Karabakh

Robert Wareing: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has hadwith representatives of the Minsk group and Azerbaijan in respect of Nagorno-Karabakh; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is in frequent contact with representatives of the Minsk group. The French ambassador in Baku briefed EU embassies on 17 May about the Prague meeting on 1315 May between the personal representatives of the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia. The Azeri Deputy Foreign Minister, Araz Azimov (who has been appointed as President Aliev's special representative on Nagorno Karabakh) visited the UK in February. His Armenian counterpart, Armen Martirosian, visited in March. They both had discussions in the Foreign Office, including with the then Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. Bradshaw).

Counter Terrorism

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 24 May 2002, Official Report, column 605W, on counter terrorism, if he will place in the Library a copy of the additional information submitted to the UNSC Counter Terrorism Committee by the United Kingdom.

Denis MacShane: Yes.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average pupil-teacher ratio was within maintained (a) nursery schools, (b) primary schools and (c) secondary schools in (i) St. Helens South constituency, (ii) St. Helens metropolitan borough council area, (iii) Liverpool, (iv) Manchester, (v) the north-west, (vi) the south-east, (vii) England and (viii) Scotland in (1) 1991, (2) 1997, (3) 1998, (4) 1999, (5) 2000, (6) 2001 and (7) the quarter to March 2002.

Stephen Twigg: holding answer 24 April 2002
	The available information is shown in the table.
	
		Maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools: Pupil:teacher ratios by type of school -- Position in January each year(39)
		
			   1991 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 (40)2002 
		
		
			  Maintained Nursery Schools   
			 England 19.1 18.9 18.6 18.4 18.1 17.7 15.6 
			 Scotland(41) 25.7 24.7 23.1 31.3 28.9 33.9 n/a 
			 
			 North-west 19.3 19.6 19.3 19.0 18.7 18.1 16.8 
			 South-east 18.1 16.3 16.5 16.4 16.3 15.9 13.8 
			 
			 Liverpool 17.9 18.7 16.7 16.9 16.2 13.7 12.6 
			 Manchester 14.8 17.3 16.7 15.9 11.8 11.6 7.8 
			 St. Helens 17.9 20.5 21.3 21.6 22.0 19.4 18.9 
			 
			 St. Helens South (42) 21.8 25.3 (43) 24.8 25.0 (44) 
			 
			  Maintained primary schools(45)   
			 England 22.2 23.4 23.7 23.5 23.3 22.9 22.5 
			 Scotland 19.5 19.6 19.9 19.4 19.1 19.0 n/a 
			 
			 North-west 22.8 23.9 24.0 23.9 23.4 22.9 22.3 
			 South-east 22.8 23.2 23.6 23.6 23.2 22.9 22.3 
			 
			 Liverpool 22.4 23.6 23.5 23.1 22.7 22.3 21.6 
			 Manchester 22.3 23.4 24.7 24.6 24.0 22.7 21.8 
			 St. Helens 23.0 23.3 23.2 23.6 23.2 22.9 22.4 
			 
			 St. Helens South (42) 23.2 23.2 23.7 23.1 22.9 (44) 
			 
			  Maintained secondary schools(45)   
			 England 15.7 16.7 16.9 17.0 17.2 17.1 16.9 
			 Scotland 12.2 13.0 13.2 13.0 12.9 13.0 n/a 
			 
			 North-west 15.4 16.6 16.7 16.8 16.8 16.6 16.3 
			 South-east 16.2 16.7 16.9 17.1 17.3 17.4 17.2 
			 
			 Liverpool 14.9 16.7 16.7 16.8 16.7 16.2 15.5 
			 Manchester 14.1 15.9 16.1 16.1 16.0 16.0 15.6 
			 St. Helens 15.0 15.6 16.0 15.9 16.1 16.1 15.8 
			 
			 St. Helens South (42) 15.7 16.2 16.2 16.1 16.0 (44) 
		
	
	(39) September of previous year for Schools' Census in Scotland
	(40) Provisional
	(41) Figures for Scotland from 199899 include pre-school education centres (including those in partnership with local authorities).
	(42) Date is not available by parliamentary constituency prior to 1997.
	(43) No schools of this type in 1999.
	(44) 2002 data are not yet available by parliamentary constituency.
	(45) Includes middle schools as deemed.
	Note: n/aNot available
	Source:
	Annual Schools Census in England; Schools Census/Pre-school Census/Pre-school and Daycare Census in Scotland.

Intermediate GNVQs

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations she has received urging the retention of intermediate GNVQs.

Stephen Twigg: Ministers have met a number of heads of schools and colleges, and other interested parties, to hear their views on the timing of the withdrawal of the 6-unit GNVQ. In addition, a number of letters have been received. We are currently considering all these representations.

Advertising Campaigns

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much was spent on press and advertising campaigns in 200102; and what the planned expenditure is for 200203.

Stephen Twigg: In respect of 200102, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his hon. Friend the Member for Isle of Wight (Mr. Turner) on 17 April 2002, Official Report, column 963W and 964W.
	Planned expenditure from the Department's central advertising and publicity budget for 200203 is 14.35 million. Departmental advertising spend may be subject to alteration during the year.

Small Schools

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many small schools in the UK have been amalgamated since 1997.

David Miliband: holding answer 13 June 2002
	Since 2000 the number of small schools in England that have been amalgamated is as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2000 17 
			 2001 25 
			 2002 5 
		
	
	The Department only holds data on schools in England. It does not have reliable data on the number of small schools that were amalgamated before 2000.

Educational Institutions (Governors)

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to ensure that educational institutions in receipt of public funds publish a full list of governors.

David Miliband: Maintained schools are already required to publish a list of governors, including each governor's category and the date their current term of office ends, in their annual report.
	City academies are required to notify the Charity Commission and Companies House of their trustees (governing body), and public access is through these bodies. For city technology colleges, the same applies to trustees. A list of governors is generally available through the governors annual report to parents. Although there is no specific requirement on further and higher education colleges to do so, public access requirements to FE college minutes mean that this information is in the public domain and most HE institutions publish the names of governing body members in their annual reports or elsewhere.

Computer Literacy

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps are being taken to increase computer literacy at (a) adult and (b) adolescent levels.

Ivan Lewis: The Department for Education and Skills aims to create, implement and support a dynamic framework for information and communications technology (ICT) skills. It has initiated a range of measures to increase computer literacy and widen access to the skills required for a modern knowledge economy.
	(a) For Adults: By the end of 2002 there will be over 6,000 UK online centres throughout England with access points in public libraries, colleges, local community centres and elsewhere. Older people are one of the key client groups for this initiative. In addition there are over 1,600 learndirect centres, which along with Further Education colleges and adult and community learning centres, offer many opportunities for adults to improve their ICT skills.
	(b) For adolescents: The national curriculum for ICT prepares pupils to participate in a rapidly changing world, in which work and other activities are increasingly transformed by access to varied and developing technology. Reforms to the national curriculum in England have ensured that all pupils aged five to 16 are taught ICT, either as a separate subject or through other subjects. We have also set challenging national targets for pupils' achievements in ICT at the end of Key Stage 3.

Postgraduate Teaching Courses (North-east)

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) courses and (b) places are available in the north-east of England providing postgraduate teaching qualifications.

David Miliband: In 200203 there are 1,194 places available on 38 postgraduate courses of initial teacher training in the north-east Government office region.

Educational Attainment

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what percentage of children who lived (a) in a residential care home and (b) with foster parents (i) left their higher education course and (ii) completed higher education; and what grades were achieved, in the last five years for which figures are available.

Margaret Hodge: The requested information is not held centrally.

Teachers (Ethnic Origin)

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers are (a) black and (b) Asian.

David Miliband: This information is not collected centrally.

School Visits

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools she has visited since 7 June 2001.

Estelle Morris: Since 7 June 2001 the Secretary of State has visited 29 schools.

Examinations

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she takes to (a) monitor the performance of local authorities and schools in SATs and public examinations and (b) audit the quality of information provided by local authorities to her Department.

David Miliband: All LEAs and schools are required to set annual targets for the performance of their pupils in the Key Stage 2 and 3 National Curriculum tests and GCSE examinations. Schools' Key Stage 2 and GCSE results are published in performance tables and the Key Stage 3 results will also be published for the first time later this year.
	LEAs are required to set out their targets in their Education Development Plans (EDPs) and submit them to the Secretary of State for approval. The Department and Ofsted worked together to assess the quality of the second generation of EDPs submitted by local education authorities in January 2002. The Department's Standards and Effectiveness Unit continues to provide challenge and support for LEAs' implementation of their EDPs. Ofsted inspections also report on the quality and effectiveness of implementation of EDPs.

Teacher Training

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what provision is available for teachers to use a proportion of their statutory Inset days to increase their awareness and understanding of industry and commerce.

David Miliband: The timing, organisation and content of in-service training days (Inset) are entirely for individual Local Education Authorities (LEAs), governing bodies and head teachers to determine. If agreed by those above, there is no reason why a school cannot use Inset days to increase awareness and understanding of industry and commerce.

Reading

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what empirical evidence she has collected on the relative success of teaching of reading by (a) whole language and real books method, (b) the national literacy strategy and (c) synthetic phonics.

David Miliband: A wide range of research evidence about the teaching of reading was considered in the development of the National Literacy Strategy (NLS) as documented in the Review of Research and other Related Evidence, published by the Department in 1998. National test results have shown that the NLS has improved the standards achieved in reading. In 2001, 84 per cent. of pupils achieved the expected level for their age (level 2) in the Key Stage 1 reading testsa rise of 4 percentage points since 1998; 82 per cent. of pupils achieved the expected level (level 4) in the Key Stage 2 reading testsa rise of 11 percentage points since 1998. Phonics is a key part of the NLS, which advocates the use of both synthetic and analytic phonics.

Reading

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average reading age is of pupils in each age cohort.

David Miliband: The Department does not collect centrally national data regarding the average reading age of pupils in each age cohort. The table therefore shows the percentage of pupils achieving the expected level for their age in the 2001 national Key Stage tests:
	
		Percentage of pupils achieving expected level in 2001 tests in all schools in England
		
			 Key Stage Percentage 
		
		
			 KS1 ReadingLevel 2 or above 84 
			 KS2 ReadingLevel 4 or above 82 
			 KS3 EnglishLevel 5 or above 65

Parenting

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what her policy is towards parents supporting school age children by providing appropriate help at home;
	(2)  what her policy is on penalising children who have had parental assistance with school work.

Stephen Twigg: The Government have no policy to penalise children for being helped by their parents with their school work. Indeed, we strongly endorse parents playing an active part in supporting their children's learning at home. We believe that children's education really benefits when parents create a learning-friendly environment at home and have a positive attitude to school and to learning. We have helped them in this by providing a range of information, resources, and guidance on how to get involved in their children's education. These include the Parents' Centre website, which contains information for parents about education, as well as how they can get involved, and links to useful resources for learning at home; the Learning Journey booklets, a series of guides to the curriculum informing parents of what their children will learn and how they can help; and Parents + Schools magazine, a termly publication informing parents of developments in the field of education, and containing hints, tips, and suggestions for becoming involved.
	The Department published national homework guidelines for schools in 1998 that, among other things, emphasise that schools should ensure they work closely with parents and ensure that they are given guidance about how best to help their children.

Literacy

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many 11-year-olds are functionally illiterate.

David Miliband: There is no measure of functional illiteracy. In 2001, however, 75 per cent. of 11-year-olds achieved at least the expected level for their age (level 4) in the Key Stage 2 English tests, and a further 17 per cent. achieved level 3.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Fire Service

Bob Spink: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what action he is taking to (a) recruit, (b) retain and (c) train firefighters; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: The Fire Services (Appointments and Promotion) Regulations 1978 (statutory instrument 436), as amended, set criteria for appointment to the rank of firefighter. Matters of recruit selection and staff retention are, however, the responsibility of each individual fire authority. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does, however, prepare recruitment literature for the fire service.
	Responsibility for the efficient training of members of each fire service also rests with the local fire authority, under section 1(1)(b) of the Fire Services Act 1947. However, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister works closely with the fire service on training and development. The Fire Service College is an executive agency of the office. We are seeking, with the fire service, to implement an over-arching development strategy encompassing all fire service staff at every career stage. Our goal is to promote the development of a fire service which better reflects the communities it serves and which, through effective and relevant training and development, maintains its high standards of professionalism.

Housing Demand

Andrew George: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what (a) advice he has received from (i) local authorities, (ii) the Housing Corporation, (iii) other statutory agencies and (iv) Government Departments about and (b) estimate he has made of the level of unmet housing need in each of the districts of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly in each of the last five years for which records are available.

Tony McNulty: The Government do not make estimates of housing need. Because of the wide variation in need between different parts of the country, the Government believe that local authorities are best placed to carry out local housing needs assessments, which should be reflected in local authorities housing strategies, investment plans, and in the implementation of planning powers for affordable housing.
	Ensuring an adequate supply of housing, and a suitable balance between general market and affordable housing, is a key priority for the Government. We regularly receive letters from local authorities and other bodies concerning the need for housing, and take an interest in all such communication. The Government have increased investment in affordable housing through the Housing Corporation to 1.2 billion in 200304, nearly double 200001 levels.

Housing Demand

Andrew George: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent assessment he has made of the demand for (a) social rented, (b) private rented, (c) part purchase/ part rent, (d) other forms of managed partly-owned accommodation and (e) private market housing from (i) newly formed family units and (ii) first time occupiers and purchasers.

Tony McNulty: This Government do not produce national assessments of housing demand or targets for house building. Annual rates of housing provision to be kept under regular review are established through regional planning guidance and the spatial strategy it sets out. The strategy is prepared having regard to a number of matters including regional economic needs, the household projections produced by the ODPM, the capacity of urban areas to accommodate more housing, the physical and social infrastructure needed to support additional housing and the environmental implications of doing so.

Second Homes

Andrew George: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the extent of (a) central Government and (b) local government finance employed to subsidise the costs of the council tax rebate for (i) second homes and (ii) other residential properties entitled to a council tax discount or rebate for each of the past five years for which records are available;
	(2)  what level of (a) central Government and (b) local government moneys have been used to provide the necessary subsidy for the delivery of the council tax rebate for (i) second homes and (ii) all other residential properties entitled to a council tax discount rebate in each of the past five years for which records are available in (A) each of the six districts of Cornwall, (B) Cornwall county and (C) the council of the Isles of Scilly.

Nick Raynsford: Local authorities are compensated through revenue support grant paid by central Government for council tax income foregone as a result of dwellings in their area being entitled to council tax discounts.
	The total council tax income foregone in respect of second homes is estimated at 80 million for England in 200102. Information for individual local authorities is not centrally available. Further work is being done to calculate the total council tax income foregone as a result of 25 per cent. and 50 per cent. discounts and I will write with further details when this has been completed.

Local Government Finance

David Kidney: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what arrangements he is making for the consideration of local authorities' objections to the provisional financial settlement for 200304.

Nick Raynsford: We will announce the arrangements for the 200304 provisional local government finance settlement in the autumn, following the consultation on options for the new system over the summer.

Planning

Norman Baker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many requests were made, broken down by Government office region, for planning applications to be called in for the last year for which figures are available; and, for each region, how many were called in.

Tony McNulty: The number of requests to call in planning applications is not recorded. The number of planning applications called-in within each Government office region between 1 April 2001 and 31 March 2002 is as follows.
	
		
			 Government office Called-in 
		
		
			 North-east 11 
			 North-west 14 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 13 
			 West Midlands 23 
			 East Midlands 16 
			 East 7 
			 South-west 12 
			 South-east 22 
			 London 4 
			  
			 Total 122

Homelessness

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps are being taken to increase the number of homes for homeless single mothers.

Tony McNulty: Under current legislation, local authorities have a statutory duty to provide accommodation for people who are homeless through not fault of their own and who have a priority need for accommodation. The priority need categories include households with dependent children or a pregnant woman.
	The Government are committed to ensuring homeless families are provided with decent housing. The supply of affordable housing has a vital role to play in increasing the homes available to house homeless single mothers. The Government have raised investment in affordable housing through the Housing Corporation to over 1.2 billion by 200304, almost double 200001 levels. In 200001, the Corporation approved schemes to the value of 4.5 million for vulnerable mothers with babies and 418 million for homeless people. In addition, where a single mother has a support need that makes it difficult to sustain a tenancy, the Supporting People programme, to be launched in April 2003, will help prevent tenancy breakdown.
	In March this year the Government announced a new approach to tackling homelessness backed by 125 million. This includes ensuring that no homeless families with children have to live in bed-and-breakfast accommodation except in an emergency.

Homelessness

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many homeless shelters in major cities serve free meals.

Tony McNulty: Information relating to the number of homeless shelters in major cities which serve free meals is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Evictions

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps are being taken to restrict the power of landlords to evict renters with little or no notice.

Tony McNulty: For most tenancies landlords must give two months notice to end a let. If the tenant does not leave, repossession of the property involves a court order enforced by bailiffs. It is not for a landlord to carry out an eviction.
	Local authorities have powers to investigate any complaints of illegal eviction and to caution or prosecute as appropriate. The then Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions published the research report Harassment and Unlawful Eviction of Private Rented Sector Tenants and Park Home Residents in 2000. At the same time separate guidance to local authorities was published. Copies of both documents are available in the House Library.

Cornish Language

Andrew George: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what evidence he has collated that supports the conclusion that Cornish is not an appropriate language to be specified for the purposes of the European Charter for regional or minority languages.

Nick Raynsford: I look forward to receiving the Government office for the south-west's report and supporting evidence, which will inform the Government's decision on whether or not Cornish meets the charter's definition of a regional or minority language.

Parish Councils

Boris Johnson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the total cost was of sending out the literature from the Standards Board to all parish councils; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: In May 2002, the Standards Board for England sent copies of guidance on the operation of new codes of conduct to all local authorities within its remit, including parish councils. The total cost of this guidance, including the costs of despatch, was 188,380, some 80 per cent. of which it is estimated relates to providing the material to the 8,500 parish councils in England. This indicates an average cost of a little under 18 per parish council.

Competitive Tendering

Tim Collins: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister on how many occasions in the last 12 months the requirement to engage in a competitive tendering process has been waived by his Department due to national security obligations under paragraph 6(h) of the supply regulations.

Christopher Leslie: There have been no occasions.

Local Government Elections

Eric Martlew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has for allowing 18-year-olds to stand for election to local councils.

Nick Raynsford: We have no current plans to allow 18-year-olds to stand for election to local councils.

Parliamentary Questions

Andrew Turner: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of ordinary written questions for his Department were answered within a week of tabling in each month since June 2001; and what proportion of questions for named day received a substantive answer on that day in each month since June 2001.

Douglas Alexander: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested is as follows.
	
		Percentage 
		
			  Date  Named day question answered on the nominated day Ordinary written question answered within a week of being tabled 
		
		
			 2001   
			 June 60 0 
			 July 85 63 
			 October 63 48 
			 November 73 47 
			 December 100 54 
			
			 2002   
			 January 53 27 
			 February 65 27 
			 March 36 27 
			 April 37 20 
			 May 52 33

Public Bodies

Tony Wright: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the statutes which require public bodies to make reports to Parliament.

Douglas Alexander: I have been asked to reply.
	The Cabinet Office is compiling this information and I shall write to my hon. Friend once it has been collated.

SCOTLAND

EU Enlargement

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps she is taking to make Scottish companies aware of the business opportunities presented by the enlargement of the European Union.

Helen Liddell: I take every opportunity to outline the opportunities for Scottish business which are presented by EU enlargement. I also work with organisations such as CBI Scotland and Scottish Council for Development and Industry in their work in promoting these opportunities. Together with the DTI, the Scotland Office is anxious to encourage maximum benefit for Scotland from enlargement of the EU.

Special Advisers

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many special advisers there were in her Department; and what their salaries were in each of the last five years.

Helen Liddell: holding answer 10 April 2002
	There are two special advisers in my Department. On salaries, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 10 April 2002, Official Report, column 11W.

Clydesdale Bank

Mohammad Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps she will take to protect Clydesdale bank staff whose jobs are threatened by plans to cut the European work force of National Australia bank

Helen Liddell: I am aware of concerns about the National Australia bank's announcement that it expects to cut 500 jobs across its European operations and the potential impact on the group's Clydesdale bank operations in Scotland. I hope to meet shortly with senior management of the bank to discuss their future plans for their operations in Scotland.

Pensions

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was spent by her Department on paying pensions to retired employees of his Department in 200102; if she will estimate the corresponding amounts to be spent in (a) five years' time, (b) 10 years' time, (c) 20 years' time and (d) 30 years' time; if she will estimate in each case the proportion of such liabilities which will arise from (i) unfunded pension schemes and (ii) pre-funded pension schemes; and in the case of pre-funded schemes, if she will estimate the value of the corresponding pre-funded funds in each of these years.

Helen Liddell: holding answer 20 May 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend, the former Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office on 23 May 2002, Official Report, column 561W.

Euro

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment she has made of the impact on Scotland if the United Kingdom joined the euro.

Helen Liddell: The Government's policy on membership of the single currency remains as set out by the Chancellor in October 1997, and restated by the Prime Minister in 1999. The determining factor underpinning any Government decision on membership of the single currency is the national economic interest and whether the economic case for joining is clear and unambiguous. The five economic tests will define whether a clear and unambiguous case can be made. The Government have said that the Treasury will complete an assessment of the five tests within two years of the start of this Parliament. The five tests will assess the economic case for entry of the whole of the UK, including Scotland.

Scottish Executive

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 
	(1)  how many times her Office has made representations to the Scottish Executive since May 1999 broken down by (a) department approached, (b) subject and (c) date;
	(2)  how many representations the Scottish Executive has made to her Department since May 1999 broken down by (a) Scottish Executive department, (b) subject and (c) date.

Helen Liddell: Information is not held in the form requested. There are frequent communications, many of them informal, between the Scotland Office and the Scottish Executive, both at ministerial and at official level.

Reserved Powers

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans she has to seek the transfer of the administration of reserved powers or functions of UK Government Departments, their executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies within their remit from those departments to the Scotland Office.

Helen Liddell: None.

Postal and Electronic Voting

Tom Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans her Department has to consult on the use of postal and electronic voting in future elections.

Helen Liddell: Local government election pilots in Scotland, England and Wales are currently being evaluated by local authorities and the Electoral Commission. Proposals on any changes to the electoral system will take the results of these and any other pilots into account.

Young People

Tom Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which organisations representing young people her Department regularly consults.

Anne McGuire: Although the Scotland Office has meetings with a wide range of representative bodies, my right hon. Friend rarely has need to consult formally. However, she launched an exercise in December last year seeking views on the size of the Scottish Parliament. Youthlink Scotland and the Scottish Youth Parliament were among the bodies consulted.

Budget

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 
	(1)  what input she has into the findings and presentation of Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland prior to its publication;
	(2)  how much it cost the Government to produce the Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland report in each year since its inception;
	(3)  what Ministers have an opportunity to view and comment on Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland prior to its publication;
	(4)  if work has begun on Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland for 200001.

Helen Liddell: The Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland (GERS) reports are produced by the Scottish Executive. The report draws on information produced by HM Treasury, Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise and the Office of National Statistics. Since 1999 publication of the reports has been announced in a joint Scottish Executive/Scotland Office news release. Advance copies of the final text of the GERS report are available to Ministers from the Scotland Office, Treasury and Scottish Executive. The timetable for the Scottish Executive's work on the 200001 report is a matter for the Scottish Executive as are the production costs, but I understand that the total cost of printing, publishing and distributing the GERS report for 19992000 was 6,200. Details of costs for the earlier years are not readily available.

Gas Pipelines

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations she has made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer about the differential levels of taxation for different gas pipelines within Scotland and England.

Helen Liddell: I have regular discussions with my ministerial colleagues on a wide range of matters.

Departmental Sponsors

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 
	(1)  what the duties are of hon. Members appointed as sponsors to her Department; and what assistance is given by officials in her Department to them in carrying out these duties;
	(2)  which hon. Members have been appointed as sponsors to her Department since 7 June 2001; and when each of them were appointed.

Helen Liddell: Ministers in this Department have made no such appointments.

Animal Transportation Directive

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment she has made of the impact on the Scottish livestock industry of the proposed EU directive on animal transportation.

Helen Liddell: Animal welfare is a devolved subject within the competence of the Scottish Parliament and Executive.

EU Driving Regulations

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment she has made of the impact on the livestock industry in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland of the proposed EU regulations on drivers' hours.

Helen Liddell: Responsibility for the regulation of drivers' hours in Great Britain rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport. The previous Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions carried out an extensive public consultation exercise on the proposal in question as part of its assessment of the likely impact on British industry. The National Farmers' Union Scotland was among the bodies consulted.

Public Bodies

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when she last met representatives of (a) Legalise Cannabis Campaign Scotland, (b) Amnesty International, (c) Scottish Human Rights Centre, (d) Unison Scotland, (e) WWF Scotland, (f) Cancer Research Campaign Scotland, (g) National Asthma Campaign Scotland, (h) Transform Scotland, (i) Charter 88 Scotland, (j) Equality Network, (k) BDA Scotland, (l) Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, (m) Capital Rail Action Group, (n) Children 1, (o) Help the Aged Scotland, (p) Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, (q) Ash Scotland, (r) Shelter Scotland, (s) Church of Scotland, (t) Scottish Trades Union Congress, (u) Friends of the Earth Scotland, (v) Scottish Refugee Council, (w) Age Concern Scotland, (x) Equal Opportunities Commission, Scotland and (y) Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament; what was discussed; and what future plans she has to meet them.

Helen Liddell: I regularly meet representatives from a wide range of organisations, including some of those listed by the hon. Member, and discuss an appropriately wide range of issues with them.

WALES

Local Government

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what responsibility he has for amendments to electoral law in relation to local government in Wales.

Paul Murphy: Policy on electoral law in relation to local government elections in Wales and England is a matter for my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor.

Performance Targets

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the performance targets that his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are required to meet, apart from those set out in the public service agreements for 1999 to 2002 and 2001 to 2004; and if he will specify for each target (a) who sets it and (b) who monitors achievement against it.

Paul Murphy: My Department's targets are set out in its service delivery agreement (published in November 2000 and available at http://www.walesoffice.gov.uk/ 2000/news2000.html) and in its departmental report (Cm 5121). They are monitored internally and reported on in the departmental report.

Regulations (Cost-effectiveness)

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 
	(1)  what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost effectiveness of the Children's Homes Amendment (Wales) Regulations;
	(2)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost effectiveness of the Pig Industry Restructuring Grant (Wales) Scheme.
	(3)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost effectiveness of the Financing of Maintained Schools (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations;
	(4)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost effectiveness of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Amendment) (Wales) (No. 4) Order;
	(5)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost effectiveness of the Import and Export Restrictions (Foot-and-Mouth Disease) (No. 3) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations;
	(6)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost effectiveness of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Ascertainment of Value) (Wales) (No. 2) Order;
	(7)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost effectiveness of the Community Charges, Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rating (Enforcement) (Magistrates' Courts) (Wales) Regulations;
	(8)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost effectiveness of the National Health Service (General Medical Services) Amendment (Wales);
	(9)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost effectiveness of the Local Education Authority (Behaviour Support Plans) (Amendment) (Wales);
	(10)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost effectiveness of the Feeding Stuffs (Wales) Regulations;
	(11)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost effectiveness of the Education (Education Standards Grants) (Wales) Regulations;
	(12)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost effectiveness of the Education (National Curriculum) (Key Stage 3 Assessment Arrangements) (Wales) (Amendment) Order;
	(13)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost-effectiveness of the Care Standards Act 2000 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional Provisions) (Wales) Order;
	(14)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost-effectiveness of the Organic Farming Scheme (Wales) Regulations;
	(15)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost-effectiveness of the Smoke Control Areas (Exempted Fireplaces) (Wales) Order;
	(16)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost-effectiveness of the Tir Mynydd (Cross-Border Holdings) (Wales) Regulations;
	(17)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost-effectiveness of the Education (School Information) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations;
	(18)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost-effectiveness of the National Health Service (Professions Supplementary to Medicine) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations;
	(19)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost-effectiveness of the Import and Export Restrictions (Foot and Mouth Disease) (Wales) Regulations;
	(20)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost-effectiveness of the Highways Noise Payments (Movable Homes) (Wales) Regulations;
	(21)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost-effectiveness of the School Milk (Wales) Regulations;
	(22)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost-effectiveness of the Education (Individual Pupils' Achievements) (Information) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations;
	(23)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost-effectiveness of the Diseases of Animals (Approved Disinfectants) (Amendment) (Wales) Order;
	(24)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost-effectiveness of the National Park Authorities Levies (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations;
	(25)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost-effectiveness of the Food Irradiation Provisions (Wales) Regulations;
	(26)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost-effectiveness of the Foot and Mouth Disease (Ascertainment of Value) (Wales) (No. 3) Order;
	(27)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost-effectiveness of the Foot and Mouth Disease (Ascertainment of Value) (Wales) Order;
	(28)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost-effectiveness of the Education (Pupil Registration) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations;
	(29)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost-effectiveness of the Foot and Mouth Disease (Amendment) (Wales) (No. 3) Order;
	(30)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost-effectiveness of the Education (Pupil Records) (Wales) Regulations;
	(31)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost-effectiveness of the National Assistance (Assessment of Resources) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations;
	(32)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost-effectiveness of the Import and Export Restrictions (Foot-and-Mouth Disease) (No. 3) Regulations;
	(33)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost-effectiveness of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (Commencement No. 1) (Wales) Order;
	(34)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost-effectiveness of the Import and Export Restrictions (Foot and Mouth Disease) (No. 2) (Wales) Order;
	(35)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost-effectiveness of the Homeless Persons (Priority Need) (Wales) Order;
	(36)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost-effectiveness of the Tir Sofal (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations;
	(37)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost-effectiveness of the Tir Mynydd (Wales) Regulations;
	(38)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost-effectiveness of the Non Domestic Rating (Alterations of Lists and Appeals) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations;
	(39)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost-effectiveness of the National Health Service Trusts (Cardiff and Vale National Health Service Trust) (Originating Capital) (Wales) Order;
	(40)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost-effectiveness of the School Governors' Annual reports (Wales) Regulations;
	(41)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost-effectiveness of the Foot and Mouth Disease (Amendment) (Wales) No. 2 Order;
	(42)  what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the cost-effectiveness of the Local Authorities (Alteration of Requisite Calculations) (Wales) Regulations.

Paul Murphy: These are matters for the National Assembly for Wales. Section 65 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 provides for an appraisal of the costs and benefits of complying with Assembly general subordinate legislation to be carried out before a draft of the statutory instrument is laid before the Assembly.

CABINET OFFICE

Members of Parliament (Personal Data)

Eric Forth: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what information is held by his Department on each hon. Member in relation to (a) personal relationships, both current and past, (b) financial status and dealings, (c) connections with companies and interest groups, (d) connections with Governments and (e) published works; and what was held in January 2002.

Douglas Alexander: Ministers and officials in this Department have access to published reference sources, as well as to the information about hon. Members made publicly available by the House authorities, for the purpose of parliamentary business.

Entertainment Costs

John Bercow: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the cost was of the Department's 2001 staff Christmas party; and how many people attended.

Douglas Alexander: The Cabinet Office did not hold a Christmas party for its staff in 2001.

Departmental Expenditure Limit

John Bercow: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much and what proportion of the departmental expenditure limit for 200203 will be accounted for by staff costs; what the figures were for 200102; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The Cabinet Office departmental expenditure limit (DEL) for 200102 was 402.8 million. Approximately 40 per cent. of the DEL was for budgeted staff costs. The 200102 Resource account is undergoing final adjustments and awaiting audit. As a result, the percentage figure quoted may change.
	The information regarding how much and what proportion of the DEL for 200203 will be accounted for by staff costs is not yet available.

Public Service Agreement Targets

John Bercow: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what has been the (a) cost and (b) saving from the pursuit of the Department's Public Service Agreement targets in each year since they were introduced.

Douglas Alexander: The Department's Public Service Agreement sets out the key outcomes it is committed to deliver with the resources provided, and its Service Delivery Agreement sets out the key steps towards delivery of those targets. Every year the Department publishes performance against its targetsincluding on value for moneyand the resources it has used, in its departmental report.

Ministerial Meetings

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office which Ministers and officials had meetings with representatives of (a) the Confederation of British Industry, (b) the Engineering Employees Federation, and (c) the Engineering Marine Training Authority during the last year; who they met; and what the subjects and outcomes of their discussions were.

Douglas Alexander: Ministers and civil servants have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals as part of the process of policy development and analysis.
	As with previous Administrations it is not this Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings. All such contacts are conducted in accordance with the Ministerial Code, the Civil Service Code and Guidance for Civil Servants: Contacts with Lobbyists.

Performance Targets

John Bercow: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the (a) cost and (b) saving has been from the Department's pursuit of Service Delivery Agreement targets in each year since they were introduced.

Douglas Alexander: The Department's Public Service Agreement sets out the key outcomes it is committed to deliver with the resources provided, and its Service Delivery Agreement sets out the key steps towards deliver of those targets. Every year the Department publishes performance against its targetsincluding on value for moneyand the resources it has used, in its departmental report.

PRIME MINISTER

Prime Minister's Question Time

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister whether civil servants involved in providing preparatory material for him in advance of Prime Minister's Question Time supply information relating to (a) the previous Conservative Government and (b) alternative policies held by opposition parties.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 27 February 2002, Official Report, columns 12681269W. Briefing is provided in accordance with the Ministerial and Civil Service Code.

TREASURY

Forward Tax Payment Contracts

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate how many (a) income tax payers and (b) corporation tax payers have negotiated forward tax payment contracts with the Inland Revenue.

Dawn Primarolo: Following a review by the Inland Revenue, 15 such cases were identified. The majority of these cases are no longer current, and the remainder are under review in the light of a recent court judgment. All the agreements primarily concerned individuals but in five cases provision was made for companies considered to be under their control.

Minimum Wage

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action has been taken on enforcement of the national minimum wage in Scotland.

Dawn Primarolo: The Inland Revenue has two specialist teams, one based in Aberdeen, the other in East Kilbride who are responsible for enforcing the national minimum wage in Scotland. Since April 1999 the two teams have completed over 1,700 investigations in Scotland, recovering over 627,000 in wage arrears.

Entertainment Costs

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost was of the Department's 2001 staff Christmas party; and how many people attended.

Ruth Kelly: There was no departmental Christmas party. Treasury Christmas parties tend to be held on a team or directorate basis.

HIPC Initiative

Julia Drown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what contribution the UK Government plan to make to the estimated shortfall in funding for the HIPC initiative; from which departmental budget contributions will come; and whether contributions will be made (a) directly and (b) through the EU, IDA or other institutions.

John Healey: Total bilateral pledges to the HIPC trust fund currently total more than US$2.5 billion. However, current estimates of the funding requirements for countries expected to be eligible for HIPC relief in the near term suggest a possible shortfall of $700 million. In his speech to the United Nations General Assembly Special Session the Chancellor called for a $1 billion contribution from richer countries to support the HIPC initiative. At present the UK is the second largest contributor to the trust fund and has pledged a total of $306 million. Of that total $221 million was paid directly by the Department for International Development (DfID) to the World bank with the remaining $85 million representing the UK share of a European Union contribution of $661 million in total.

Debt Relief

Julia Drown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps are being taken to support (a) Guinea-Bissau's and (b) Guinea's IMF debt relief programme.

John Healey: As highly indebted poor countries (HIPCs) both Guinea-Bissau and Guinea are eligible for debt relief under the enhanced HIPC initiative. In December 2000 both countries reached Decision Point under the initiative and qualified for interim debt relief on any payments due. For its part the UK goes further than is required under the HIPC initiative and provides 100 per cent. debt relief. The UK Government are working with other donors, the World bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help both countries reach Completion Point under the HIPC initiative, at which point their debts will be irrevocably cancelled. To reach this point these countries will need to have demonstrated a clear commitment to poverty reduction and how their country-owned poverty reduction strategies will be able to use the resources released by debt relief to reduce poverty. The IMF and World bank estimate that Guinea-Bissau and Guinea could reach Completion Point as early as October 2003 and December 2002 respectively.

Inland Revenue

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the budget of the Portsmouth Inland Revenue Contact Centre was in each of the last five financial years.

Dawn Primarolo: Portsmouth Contact Centre was opened on 6 November 2001, therefore the 200102 budget allocated to the site was for the period November 2001 to March 2002. The budgets for the two years to date are as follows:
	
		 million 
		
			  200102 200203 
		
		
			 Paybill 0.8 3.14 
			 Other running costs 0.15 0.3

Inland Revenue

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what performance measures there are at Inland Revenue call centres; if they are being met; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The IRCC target to have no more than 5 per cent. of calls engaged and no more than 5 per cent. abandoned, with 90 per cent. of the balance answered in 20 seconds. Some of the new taxpayer sites have faced call volumes well above those predicted.
	For the year ended March 2002, including the new sites, the overall achievement for all lines of business covered by contact centres and helplines was:
	41 per cent. engaged
	6 per cent. abandoned
	59 per cent. answered within 20 seconds.
	A number of issues are being addressed in particular:
	ensuring that there are the right number of advisers to match call volumes;
	working with service offices to see if other changes can be made to reduce call volumes and sharing best practice from larger established sites where service level targets are being met.
	This, together with greater staff experience, has allowed substantial improvements in performance. For example, the Longbenton Contact Centre (which offers a national insurance service) has reduced engaged tones to a sixth of the level 12 months ago, while answering 90 per cent. of calls in 20 seconds.
	The experimental call centre, which opened in East Kilbride, suffered similar variable service levels. The centre has since demonstrated that the processes are sound, achieving for example, a service level for the year ended March 2002 of:
	4 per cent. engaged
	2 per cent. abandoned
	91 per cent. answered within 20 seconds.

Third-world Debt

John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he plans to cancel debt owing to the UK by Uganda.

John Healey: There is no longer any debt owing to the UK Government by Uganda. As a highly indebted poor country (HIPC) Uganda was eligible for debt relief under the enhanced HIPC initiative; for its part the UK goes further than is required and provides 100 per cent. debt relief to all qualifying countries such as Uganda. In February 2000 Uganda reached decision point under that initiative and qualified for interim debt relief on payments due, and in May 2000 Uganda reached completion point and its debts were irrevocably cancelled.

ECOFIN Council

Jimmy Hood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the outcome was of the ECOFIN Council held on 4 June; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement.

Gordon Brown: I attended the ECOFIN meeting on 4 June.
	ECOFIN had an orientation discussion on the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines. These will be considered further at the ECOFIN meeting on 20 June prior to the Seville European Council.
	The Council noted that a qualified majority existed on a presidency compromise text on the occupational pensions directive.
	ECOFIN also had an orientation discussion on the draft directive on prospectuses, and the Commission presented its sixth half-yearly progress report on the Financial Services Action Plan.
	ECOFIN adopted conclusions on the tax package. I reported on the significant progress the UK has made in discussions with our overseas and dependent territories on taxation of savings, which was welcomed by the Council. The Commission gave an oral update on progress on negotiations with third countries. ECOFIN called for greater progress to be made, and a presidency letter to the Swiss President was agreed.
	Presidency guidelines on energy taxation were discussed. These were discussed further by the High Level Group (HLG) on Energy Taxation on 11 June, and the chairman of the HLG will report back to ECOFIN on 20 June.
	There was a conciliation meeting with the European Parliament to examine the remaining outstanding items on the recasting of the financial regulation. Agreement was reached on the draft text.
	ECOFIN discussed the VAT treatment of cross-border motor vehicle leasing, and invited the presidency and the Commission to examine the situation and report at the end of 2002.
	The Council noted a preliminary oral report on issues of corporate governance by Professor Winter (Chairman of the High Level Group on Company Law).
	ECOFIN also adopted texts on the preparations for the World Summit on Sustainable Development and on the implementation of the new EIB Euro-Mediterranean Facility.
	No votes were taken at the meeting.

Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting

Barbara Follett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the 2002 Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting.

Paul Boateng: The UK will host the 2002 Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting (CFMM) from 2426 September. This is an annual event whose timing is intended to provide Finance Ministers with an opportunity to prepare for the annual meetings of the IMF and World bank.
	The overall theme of the 2002 CFMM is Stability; Growth; Poverty Reduction. Within this theme, Finance Ministers will discuss the world economy, IMF/World bank issues and Commonwealth issues.
	They will also discuss the special theme which this year will be Delivering the Monterrey Consensus. The International Conference on Financing for Development took place in Monterrey, Mexico, in March 2002. The resulting 'Monterrey Consensus' achieved a significant breakthrough by recognising the mutual responsibilities of both donors and developing countries to advance the development process. But to impact on the lives of the poor, these commitments require effective follow-up. The aim of the special theme session is therefore to develop an action plan for Commonwealth Finance Ministers to take forward the Monterrey Conclusions.
	Prior to the ministerial meetings, senior officials only will discuss a technical theme. This year, the technical theme will be Managing Resources for Development and include such issues as budgetary systems and public expenditure management.
	At the Chancellor's request, the 2002 CFMM will be the first to engage civil society, whose views will be sought on the special theme. The Commonwealth Foundation is facilitating this process. After an initial introductory meeting in Monterrey, a number of regional civil society consultations are planned. The first has already taken place in Ghana. Further consultations are scheduled for Jamaica, Fiji, Bangladesh and the UK. The outputs of these consultations will then be combined into a single paper at a larger civil society event in London in July. This paper will be presented to Finance Ministers at CFMM.
	The UK is hosting the 2002 CFMM to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee year. In recognition of this, Her Majesty will open the meetings on 24 September.
	In addition, there will be a number of events taking place in the margins of the ministerial sessions:
	An exhibition of UK/Commonwealth links in 2002 will run over the three days of CFMM. Exhibits are planned to cover the Commonwealth games, the Spirit of Friendship Festival and the Golden Jubilee celebrations;
	an evening event to showcase the diversity of the Commonwealth;
	a business forum immediately prior to the CFMM (2324 September). This is being organised by the Commonwealth Business Council and will include a pre-conference dinner at the Guildhall.
	To help ensure that Commonwealth citizens have access to information about the CFMM and that preparations for the meeting are as transparent as possible, a CFMM website has been established (www.cfmm2002.org). The site has been designed to give people across the Commonwealth quick access to information about both the policy aims and logistics of CFMM.
	The website design takes into account potential technological limitations that may affect many developing Commonwealth countries. It is simple, easy to navigate and has a fast download speed.

World Debt

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the total costs to the Exchequer of the recent UK developing world debt cancellation, as announced since 1 May 1997, in each year from 199798 to 202021; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: Prior to 1 May 1997 the UK had already cancelled its aid loans to all the poorest countries and payments are written off as they become due. Remaining debts are owed to the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD). The original highly indebted poor countries (HIPC) initiative was launched in October 1996 and in 1999 the UK was at the forefront of the international debate on debt relief in helping to secure agreement for the enhanced HIPC initiative. In December 1999, the UK Government announced that we would provide 100 per cent. debt relief on all ECGD debt for qualifying HIPCs to free up more resources for poverty reduction. The table sets out, by country and calendar year, all developing country debts to ECGD that have been written off since May 1997.
	Some countries have benefited from both the original and the enhanced HIPC initiative but figures on the exact attribution between each initiative are not readily available. The total future costs to the Exchequer of debt relief under the enhanced HIPC initiative will depend upon the progress of the remaining countries towards decision point, when they begin to receive interim debt relief on any payments due, and the subsequent completion point when debts are irrevocably cancelled.
	
		Developing country debts to ECGD written off since 1 May 1997 --  million(46)
		
			   1997(47) 1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Bolivia 0.00 6.49 0.00 0.00 12.31 
			 Bosnia 0.00 3.22 0.00 0.00 0.00 
			 Cameroon 4.74 2.71 3.15 5.06 9.17 
			 Central African Republic 0.00 0.16 0.04 0.03 0.01 
			 Cote D'Ivoire 1.14 2.82 1.17 0.00 0.00 
			 Egypt 2.35 0.98 0.00 0.00 0.00 
			 Ethiopia 0.00 0.00 0.29 0.52 0.23 
			 Guinea Republic 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.12 0.52 
			 Guyana 0.00 0.00 12.50 0.00 0.00 
			 Madagascar 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.19 1.30 
			 Malawi 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 
			 Mauritania 0.11 0.05 0.66 0.53 0.53 
			 Mozambique 3.63 5.39 12.45 0.00 78.54 
			 Niger 0.21 0.31 0.34 0.72 1.23 
			 Senegal 0.00 1.53 0.00 0.02 0.05 
			 Tanzania 1.98 4.62 5.57 18.14 15.12 
			 Togo 0.48 0.29 0.00 0.00 0.00 
			 Uganda 0.00 8.68 0.00 5.96 0.00 
			 Zambia 0.00 0.00 20.74 16.87 15.94 
			  
			 Totals 14.64 37.24 56.91 48.13 135.04 
		
	
	(46) Amounts written off.
	(47) From 1 May 1997 onwards.

Mr. Romano Prodi

Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met Mr. Romano Prodi; and if he will make a statement.

Gordon Brown: I meet Mr. Prodi regularly at meetings of European Councils.

Committee Mandates

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the mandate of the Advisory Committee on Customs and Indirect Taxation is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: There is no record of the existence of an Advisory Committee on Customs and Indirect Taxation.

Committee Mandates

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the mandate of the EEC-Hong Kong Customs Co-operation Sub Committee is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the mandate of the EEC-United States of America Customs Co-operation Sub Committee is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what the mandate of the EEC-Israel Customs Co-operation Sub Committee is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what the mandate of the EEC-Mexico Special Committee on Customs Co-operation is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: All of the committees listed below have been set up by the Council in accordance with obligations under agreements between the EC and the third country or economic grouping in question:
	EEC-Israel Customs Co-operation Sub-Committee
	EEC-Hong Kong Customs Co-operation Sub-Committee
	EEC-United States of America Customs Co-operation Sub-Committee
	EEC-Mexico Special Committee on Customs Co-operation.
	They normally meet annually (one year Brussels, the following year in the subject country). Their aim is to maintain co-operation agreements in the customs field, particularly in exchanging information. The agenda for these meetings is broadany part of the agreements being potentially included.
	HM Customs attends preparatory Council meetings (approximately six per year) which co-ordinate, as part of a wide-ranging agenda, for the bilateral EC/third country committee meetings. Travel expenses for two officials are reimbursed by the Commission. The usual cost of overnight accommodation and subsistence per day per official is 217.95 euro (134.70). HM Customs officials do not normally attend the bilateral meetings. In the Customs area, the EC has exclusive competence and leads in the bilateral meetings, normally accompanied by the member state holding the presidency. If, exceptionally, there is a point of direct interest to the UK, representatives from the Permanent Representation in Brussels would attend the meeting.
	Accountability and transparency to Parliament are ensured by the regular EU scrutiny process. Prior to agreement at the various Councils (ECOFIN, JHA, GAC), documents are submitted to Parliament along with Explanatory Memoranda and are examined by the European scrutiny committees.